THE PRESENT CLUB

A committee was formed and the name “Westmoreland Club” was adopted by the majority in order to perpetuate the old Connecticut name of the district over which that state once claimed jurisdiction. Judge Edmund L. Dana, member of the Common Pleas Bench, was elected the first president. During these proceedings, some members who had dissented from the proposed changes, withdrew. Incorporation under the name “Westmoreland” was officially brought about on February 9, 1889, when the charter was
approved by President Judge Charles E. Rice. Incorporators were Irving A. Stearns, who became the Club’s second president, Dr. Olin F. Harvey, Hon. Henry W. Palmer, Allan H. Dickson, and Thomas Darling.

The Hunt House, immediately north of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church on South Franklin Street, a frame structure once occupied by Warren J. Woodward, Supreme Court Justice, and originally owned by Charles Parrish, was rented and fitted for Club purposes. An informal opening took place on March 23, 1889.

Meantime, it is interesting to note that the dissident faction had decided to remain apart, readapting the name “Malt Club”and taking headquarters in the Poland Hotel. There they congregated weekly in their rooms, 11-M-12, until 1922, when their organization was finally disbanded.

On Christmas Eve, 1896, a fire broke out in St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, causing its complete destruction, and at the same time leveling the Westmoreland clubhouse nearby. Following this disaster, immediate steps were undertaken by the membership to plan for a new clubhouse. In the interim, the Club first maintained headquarters through the courtesy of the United Churches Mission Society, in the building known as the “Washington Hotel” on Northampton Street across from the Y.M.C.A. A short while later, the membership convened at the Emley House on North River Street, whose spacious lawns
provided an informal, if not convivial setting for occasional outdoor get-togethers during warm summer evenings.

In January, 1897, the Club purchased the vacant Hunt lot for $16,000 and authorized rebuilding of a new clubhouse on the same site, which was completed and formally opened at an elaborate party given on December 22, 1897. The three-story brick structure was erected by E.T. Long, contractor, for $20,000 and furnishings in the amount of $10,000 were purchased for the new headquarters. A.H. Kipp was the architect.

This fine building, one of the few in the state built exclusively as an urban clubhouse, served the needs of the members for a quarter of a century. After World War I, however, membership had been so broadened to keep pace with the rapid expansion of the Wyoming Valley area that the need for larger quarters became evident. Finally in November, 1922, under the leadership of the then Club president, Fred Morgan Kirby, the Dr. Levi P. Shoemaker home on South Franklin Street, considered one of the finest examples of Georgian Colonial style in this section of the state, was acquired for $75,000 while the old clubhouse became the property of St. Stephen’s Church. Rooms in this spacious and commodious mansion were converted for Club purposes and an addition was made to the rear. Formal opening was staged December 2, 1922.

In the eight decades which have passed since the acquisition of the present home of the Westmoreland Club, expansion of the areas for dining and entertainment, purchase of tasteful furnishings, the constant improvement of the interior decor, and modernization of the kitchen and service equipment has kept pace not only with the much expanded roster of membership, but also with the more widespread use of the Club facilities by members’ families. It would be difficult to single out any individual Club administration for particular mention during this era of development. Officers, Directors and Club Committees have worked hard on,major improvement projects which included the conversion of the former billiard room on the ground floor to an elaborately decorated yet cozy bar, the enclosing of the south porch of the clubhouse, now called the Terrace Room; the several stages in which repairs were made to the kitchen, pantry and service areas; the redecorating of the ladies’ lounge area and, last but not least, the complete redecoration of the clubhouse that began in 1968 at a cost of $150,000.

It has been estimated that since the end of World War II up until the disastrous flood caused by Tropical Storm Agnes which poured into Wilkes-Barre on June 23, 1972, a total aggregate of nearly a quarter of a million dollars had been authorized by the various boards of governors for these various stages of improvements. Needless to say, your Club suffered enormous damages as a result of the June 23rd flood. Kitchen and refrigeration areas in the basement area especially, equipment of all kinds including air conditioning and other utility components were ruinously damaged by the flood waters.

Fortunately, in many instances materials of the clubhouse were of such durable quality that much of the affected floor areas and wall paneling could be restored. Also, in many cases furnishings were placed into service after thorough re-cleaning and repairs were made. With the limited service that could be provided following the flood, unprecedented loss of revenue resulted. That, plus the nonrecurring expenses of restoration, prompted your Board of Governors to call upon the membership for varying assessments
to be paid over a three year period.