Political clubs were among the earliest clubs to be organized in New York City. In the 1760s, along with pre-revolutionary rumblings in America, political clubs formed in support of the colonists or the loyalists. Following the American Revolutionary War, political clubs were established to support newly formed political parties, chiefly the Democratic Republicans and the Federalists. During the 19th century, as the idea of civic responsibility grew among citizens, so did the establishment of political clubs. Political clubs could be small and localized such as those that were organized within wards (small political units in New York City representing a geographic area within the city) or large city-wide political clubs. By the 1850s, political clubs had much influence over the city; the outcome of elections was often decided by strong voter turn out from political club members.
Following the American Civil War, political clubs began to loose clout, and by the end of the 19th century, many citizens had turned to social clubs to affect civic reform. Social clubs were also being established solely for pleasure, camaraderie, and personal growth. In the 1830s, New York City had only three social clubs (the Union Club; the Hone Club; and the Kent Club). In the last quarter of the 19th century, New York City had more social clubs than any other city the world, with the exception of London. This period also saw the formation of university clubs, athletic clubs, women's clubs, and professional clubs, among others.
Several factors led to the demise of many social clubs, chiefly the invention of the automobile and its effect on how and where people lived (for example, the growth of suburbs), the financial fallout following a series of economic depressions in the United States in the 1890s through the 1930s, and the establishment of anti-discrimination laws that, in part, addressed the exclusionary practices so many social clubs held. In the 1950s and 1960s, neighborhood social clubs flourished within local immigrant populations in New York City, many of which are still active today.
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Sources:
- Gronowicz, Anthony. "Political clubs." In
The Encyclopedia of New York City, edited by Kenneth T. Jackson, 1011-1012. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press; New York: New-York Historical Society, 2010.
- Mooney, James E. "Social clubs." In
The Encyclopedia of New York City, edited by Kenneth T. Jackson, 1197. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press; New York: New-York Historical Society, 2010.
- Blair, Karen J. "Women's clubs." In
The Encyclopedia of New York City, edited by Kenneth T. Jackson, 1407-1408. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press; New York: New-York Historical Society, 2010.
- Mooney, James E. and Kenneth T. Jackson. "University clubs." In
The Encyclopedia of New York City, edited by Kenneth T. Jackson, 1351. New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Press; New York: New-York Historical Society, 2010.
From the guide to the Brooklyn clubs collection, Bulk, 1860-1940, 1843-1975, (Brooklyn Historical Society)
