Lambs (Theatrical club : New York, N.Y.)

The Lambs Club is the oldest professional theater club in the United States. The Club was established in New York City in 1874. It was named after a club in London, England. In 1877 the club was incorporated.

The Lambs is a social club for people in the performing arts. It originally was a men’s only club, but women became members in the mid-20th century.

The club has had over 6,000 members in its 134 year history. Famous past members include Fred Astaire, Irving Berlin, George M. Cohan, John Philips Sousa, and Fred Waring.

Membership to the Lambs is by invitation only from a member-in-good-standing. Current membership includes the following levels: theatrical, junior theatrical, non-theatrical, non-resident, associate, clergy, and life.

The Lambs, Inc. is governed by a Council consisting of officers, which include; the President - styled Shepherd; Vice-president - styled Boy; Corresponding Secretary; Recording Secretary; Treasurer and Historian; and a Board of Directors. Elections are held annually as seat terms expire. Annual Membership Meetings are held in January. There have been 33 Shepherds including the current one, since the club began.

The Lambs are well known for their response to the needs of the entertainment community. Percy Williams, a one time treasurer of the Club, is remembered for his great generosity. By his request, the handsome Williams estate in East Islip, Long Island, along with ample funds to maintain it, was established as a Home for actors and actresses in advanced years. Terms of his will required that six members of The Lambs and six members of the Actors’ Fund of America be elected to supervise the operation of the Home. Eventually the home merged with The Actors’ Fund of America.

Winchell Smith, nephew of the eminent actor and author William Gillette, was himself a successful actor, playwright and producer. As a producer he was long associated with John Golden. At his death in 1933 it was disclosed that Smith had left a lasting memorial to his name, as well as a perpetual source of benevolence to his fellow actors, the Winchell Smith Fund.

The Lambs Relief Foundation was formed in 1943 as an organized charity under the laws of the State of New York. Supported by donations, it dispenses funds for the benefit of the needy, sick or destitute members of the entertainment profession. By an action of the 1961-1962 Council, the corporate name was changed to the Lambs Foundation.

The club has had three homes in its history. The first was in a room at Delmonico’s on West 14th Street. The second was on 44th Street in the heart of the theater district. In 1974 that building was sold and the current space was created on 3 West 51st Street, Manhattan.