Merchants' Association of New York

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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.

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)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Merchants' Association of New York. [A collection of printed material pertaining to the Merchants' Association of New York, and its successor, the Commerce and Industry Association of New York]. New-York Historical Society
creatorOf Merchants' Association of New York. Correspondence with Theodore Dreiser, 1928. University of Pennsylvania Libraries, Van Pelt Library
creatorOf Mounted Police Association of Greater New York. [A collection of materials relating to William F. King, first president of the Merchants' Association of New York]. New-York Historical Society Library
referencedIn New York Chamber of Commerce and Industry Records, 1768-1984, (bulk 1860-1973). Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Learned Hand papers Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Von Briesen, Arthur, 1843-1920. Arthur von Briesen papers, 1895-1929 (bulk 1905-1920). Princeton University Library
referencedIn New York Chamber of Commerce and Industry. New York Chamber of Commerce and Industry records, 1768-1984 (bulk 1860-1973). Columbia University in the City of New York, Columbia University Libraries
referencedIn Arthur von Briesen Papers, 1895-1929, 1905-1920 Princeton University. Library. Dept. of Rare Books and Special Collections.Seeley G. Mudd Manuscript Library. Public Policy Papers.
referencedIn The 1906 San Francisco Earthquake and Fire Digital Collection Bancroft Library
creatorOf Brooklyn clubs collection, Bulk, 1860-1940, 1843-1975 Center for Brooklyn History (2020-)
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith A Cappella Singers (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Alcyone Boat Club. corporateBody
associatedWith American Institute of Architects. Brooklyn Chapter. corporateBody
associatedWith American Institute of Bank Clerks. Brooklyn Chapter. corporateBody
associatedWith Arion Ladies Chorus (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Arion Singing Society (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Asacog Club (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Booth Dramatic Society (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Aquarium Society . corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Athletic Association . corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Barnard Club . corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Chautauqua Union (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Chorus (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Club (New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Conchological Club . corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Concord Club (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Horticultural Society . corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Neurological Society. corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Photographic Society (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Republican Club (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Brooklyn Saengerbund (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Cambridge Club (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith City College Shepard Club (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Commerce and Industry Association of New York. corporateBody
associatedWith Daughters of the American Revolution. Fort Greene Chapter (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Democratic Union Association (New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Democratic Union General Committee of the City of Brooklyn and County of Kings (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Democratic Union Party of the City of Brooklyn and County of Kings (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Dramatic Readers (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Entre Nous Dramatic and Literary Association. corporateBody
associatedWith Franklin Literary Society (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Friendly Tourists' Club (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
correspondedWith Hand, Learned, 1872-1961 person
associatedWith Hanover Club of Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Heights Casino (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Invincible Club (New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Junior League of Brooklyn. corporateBody
associatedWith Kings County Civil Employees Benevolent Association (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Kosmos Club (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Lawyers' Club of Brooklyn (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Lincoln Club (New York, N.Y.) . corporateBody
associatedWith Long Island Automobile Club of Brooklyn . corporateBody
associatedWith Long Island Bottlers' Union (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Long Island Library Club (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Low, Seth, 1850-1916. person
associatedWith Mahoney, W. H. person
associatedWith Marine and Field Club (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Midwood Club (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Monday Club of Brooklyn (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Montauk Club of Brooklyn. corporateBody
associatedWith Municipal Club of Brooklyn (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Musaeola Association (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith National Society, Colonial Daughters of the Seventeenth Century . corporateBody
associatedWith New York Chamber of Commerce and Industry. corporateBody
associatedWith New York (N.Y.). Police Dept. corporateBody
associatedWith New York State Association Opposed to Woman Suffrage. Brooklyn Auxiliary. corporateBody
associatedWith Oxford Club of Brooklyn. corporateBody
associatedWith Philharmonic Society of Brooklyn. corporateBody
associatedWith Prospect Club (Park Slope, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Rembrandt Club (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Ridgewood Household Club (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Riding and Driving Club of Brooklyn. corporateBody
associatedWith Society of Old Brooklynites (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Tenth Ward Democratic Buchanan Keystone Club of the City of Brooklyn (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Tree Planting and Fountain Society of Brooklyn. corporateBody
associatedWith Turn-Verein Vorwärts (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Twelve Fifteen Club of South Brooklyn (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Twentieth Century Club (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Twenty-first Ward Republican Association (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Von Briesen, Arthur, 1843- person
associatedWith Von Briesen, Arthur, 1843-1920. person
associatedWith Winter’s Night Club (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Women's Christian Temperance Union on the Hill (Brooklyn, New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Yacht Racing Association of Gravesend Bay. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
New York (State)
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) |x Intellectual life |y 20th century
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) |x Politics and government |y 20th century
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) |x Social life and customs |y 19th century
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) |x Intellectual life |y 19th century
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) |x Social life and customs |y 20th century
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.)
New York (N.Y.)
Brooklyn (New York, N.Y.) |x Politics and government |y 19th century
Subject
Art
Athletic clubs
Automobiles
Choral societies
Clubs
Library clubs
Literature
Political clubs
Private clubs
Riding clubs
Sailing clubs
Science clubs
Societies
Women
Occupation
Activity
Publishers

Corporate Body

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SNAC ID: 55129781