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"The 95 Club"
The earliest known references to a Princeton alumni organization in New York date back to 1875: "an association whose function was to foregather annually at some such place and eat a ten-course dinner," and to 1895, when a small but industrious group, led by Andrew C. Imbrie '95, leased the third story of 26 West 24th Street and became known as the "The 95 Club of New York."
The True Beginning
While various attempts like these had been made to gather Princeton Alumni in and around New York, none had been long lived. But in March of 1899, it was decided that there was a pressing need to organize a Princeton alumni body in the city.
Until that time, alumni had little connection with the University other than fond memories of time spent there. It was believed that a stronger alumni voice in University affairs would serve to strengthen Princeton, and that a more involved alumni body would maintain a productive loyalty. What the N.Y. Princetonians believed was that a Club of like minded Princetonians could give a cohesive voice as to what alumni felt.
Thus, the "The Princeton Club of New York" was incorporated on December 12, 1899.
The Park Avenue years . . .
Four short months later the club entered its very first clubhouse at the corner of Park Avenue and 34th Street.
The rapidly growing membership was able to benefit from a new sense of cohesion and camaraderie and also (to use a word decidedly not in use then) the chance to network with influential Princetonians in the city. Of course the success at creating strong, productive ties between the University and its alumni is evident to every alumni today, both in N.Y. and wherever there is a Princetonian.
With its lease soon expiring at the 34th Street address, and a membership of 1,400 and growing, the decision was made to move the club to a larger, more permanent Clubhouse. The club moved to the former residence of the noted architect, Stanford White, on Gramercy Park North and Lexington Avenue where it remained for the next 10 years.
In 1922, the club purchased the building at the corner of 39th Street and Park Avenue and planned an extravagant expansion for its new residence. An additional ten-story building was erected on 39th Street, including a grill room, squash courts and bedrooms. And in 1929, an adjoining residence was purchased. The Club remained at Park and 39th for nearly four decades.
The Great Depression and World War II
With the onset of the great economic depression of the 1930's, it became evident that a substantial infusion of new members was required to keep the club afloat. When it was discovered that the Brown Club was seeking a home, its members were welcomed into The Princeton Club.
Then, in 1942, the Dartmouth College Club signed a lease on the club's adjoining residence, and shared the dining and other facilities with Princeton Club members. Both schools remained with the Princeton Club through 1961.
These arrangements kept the club financially strong not only through the depression, but also through World War II, when 1,373 members entered the armed services. When the war ended, club membership increased dramatically and by 1955, The Princeton Club of New York boasted nearly 4,000 members.
By then it was evident that the old clubhouse was definitely showing its age.
After considerable searching, a vacant lot on 43rd street was purchased.
Arrangements were made while a new clubhouse was being built, for the Club
to share quarters with the Columbia University Club at 4 West
43rd Street, across the street from the club's new property.
The closing of the old Club at 39th and Park finally came on May
31, 1961.
A new beginning
The witnessing of the rise of steel and concrete, and the prospect of a new clubhouse brought about a sharp rise in Club membership, from 3,200 to over 5,000 members. The official opening of the new building took place on March 14, 1963.
During these years the club saw a steady expansion in the diversity of its membership. Cultural and ethnic diversity found steady growth, and as women joined the undergraduate body in increasing numbers, they also found a home at the Princeton Club.
Diversity at the Club has also grown in recent years through the welcoming of Associate Members. Not long after the Columbia Club extended its hospitality during the construction of our current Clubhouse, the Princeton Club was able to return the favor. In 1973 the officers of the Columbia University Club found it necessary to dissolve their club completely. The Princeton Club invited many of the Columbia Club members to apply for Associate Membership in The Princeton Club and several hundred accepted the invitation. Now, in a similar fashion to our Brown and Dartmouth colleagues of the 1930's and 40's, the Columbia Club is in full residence at the Princeton Club of New York, sharing its facilities and adding vibrancy to our membership.
Today, approximately 10% of all Princeton alumni, regardless of where they live are members of the Princeton Club of New York. The club is the largest organized body of Princetonians in the world and is truly the “Heart of Princeton in New York City”.
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