Clubbical Baltimore of Days Gone By... The Arundell Club

Once upon a time, Baltimore, like many American cities, has a number of private clubs. Formed for a variety of purposes a few still survive to this day, but quite a few succumbed, first to the Great Depression, and secondly to the economic decline of cities in the 1960s and 70s as well as a movement away membership in such organizations.

Yet today, you can still find reminders of these clubs of days gone by in the architecture of American cities. Their buildings have been adapted and reused for a variety of purposes, but they remain part of the landscape.

Madison Street Clubhouse of the Arundell Club on the right

In April 1894, forty women met at the home of Mrs. William Woolsey Johnson at 32 East Preston Street and organized the Arundell Club. The founding members of the club wished to know more about history, sociology, and economics. They also wanted to do philanthropic work and right some of the wrongs to which their eyes had been opened. And they wanted to make Baltimore and Maryland a healthier and happier place to live. Cultural activities were a part, but only a part, of this objective. The objects of the club were stated to be "the advancement of its members in literature, science, and art; the promotion of social intercourse among them; the acquisition and maintenance of a library; and the collection and care of materials and appliances relating to the above objects."

Through the club's influence, school attendance was made compulsory to a certain age. It helped finance the introduction of a nurse into the school system, was instrumental in introducing home economics into the school curriculum, and later in helping to secure the appointment of women to the school board. They were instrumental in the creation of a juvenile house of detention separate from the adult population, organized a campaign the mandatory birth registration, helped preserve the Shot Tower, provided war relief and operated it's own Red Cross chapter which helped prevent the spread of flu in 1918 at Camp Holibird. 

Initial quarters for the club were secured at 313 North Charles Street in two rented rooms above the dressmaking and millinery shop of Madame Margaret O'Connor.

Entrance Hallway of the Madison Street Clubhouse

On October 24, 1894 the Arundell Club opened its first true clubhouse at 216 West Madison Street. It featured a spacious reading room, finished in dull oak and red, with comfortable chairs and a piano, as well as the latest reviews and magazines. This room opened to a yellow and green tea room. These large rooms would from time to time be able to accommodate the audiences invited for various talks held at the club. Upstairs there were beautifully furnished committee rooms, where members interested in literary, scientific, artistic, or economic subjects could meet for study or discussion. There were also bedroom and dressing rooms for out-of-town members.

Former Committee Room at the Madison Street Clubhouse

In October 1896, the Arundell Club moved to a new location, an attractive brownstone at 1000 North Charles Street, on the North-West corner of North Charles and Eager Streets, formerly the residence of Mr. Stephen Bonsal. Initially the club rented the house but formed the Arundel Club Stock Company and in June 1897, purchased the house through that company.

The club formally incorporated on January 18, 1898 "to create and maintain for women a center of organized work for social and intellectual intercourse and for that purpose to acquire and provide a clubhouse."

The final meeting of the club was held on April 24, 1946 and on May 1, 1946 moved down the street to the College Club at 821 North Charles Street. The clubhouse at 1000 North Charles Street was later torn down and is a parking lot today. In April 1952 the club disbanded. Their silver was returned to the families of members who donated it to the club. Much of the furniture was given to the Society for the Preservation of Maryland Antiquities for use at Hampton, a portrait of Lady Anne Arundell and a sofa were given to the Maryland Historical Society, and the sideboard over which the portrait hung was given to the College Club.