The National Club is a private club founded in 1874 for business professionals located in the Financial District of Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It provides private dining and meeting facilities, as well as accommodations to its members and guests.
The National Club was founded by Ontario Letters Patent on July 6, 1874. There were 24 members in the original roster.[1] The National Club was created to provide a home and Toronto focus for Canada First, a nationalist movement founded in 1868 by George Denison, Henry Morgan, Charles Mair, William Foster and Robert Grant Haliburton. Canada First sought to “promote a sense of national purpose and to lay the intellectual foundations for Canadian nationality.”
On March 30, 1875, the National Club moved into rented premises on the west side of Bay Street, immediately south of the building that housed the original Toronto Stock Exchange.[2] The Club's first president was Dr. Goldwin Smith, a prominent historian and journalist, and a supporter of the Canada First movement. His First Vice President was William Pearce Howland, the second Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Other founders included the Hon. Edward Blake, Ontario's first premier, and Sir Oliver Mowat, Ontario's second premier.[3]
By the 1880s, the Canada First movement virtually disappeared,[4] and the National Club had established itself as a general business and social club for Toronto's business and political leaders of all affiliations.
The National Club in 1909
In 1903, $50,000 of a total estimated construction cost of $90,000 was raised by subscription among National Club members to purchase a lot and build a new clubhouse at 303 Bay Street.[5][6][7] On September 12, 1906, the cornerstone was laid and on December 17, 1907, the National Club's new premises opened.[8] The following day, The Globe newspaper described the new premises designed by noted Toronto architect S. George Curry as “Architecturally... a triumph.”[8]
The building is protected under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act since March 17, 1976, and also enjoys a heritage easement agreement since July 16, 1984. It was designed by S.G. Curry, of the Sproatt & Rolph architectural firm.[9] The firm of Sproatt & Rolph was responsible for designing a number of other Toronto landmarks, including Hart House (University of Toronto), the Canada Life Building, the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Bishop Strachan School, Eaton's College Street store, and the Canada Permanent Trust building across the street from the National Club.[10] The National Club is one of the few remaining intact buildings on Bay Street from this period.
Today
Exterior view in 2019
The National Club maintains its historic clubhouse at 303 Bay Street, composed of three large principal dining rooms, eleven private meeting rooms and three lounges. A new rooftop patio and enclosure was opened in early 2014.[11] A major renovation was undertaken in 2017-18 that created a new bistro-style wine bar and open kitchen dining facility on the front of the 4th floor of the Club called the "1874 Bar & Grill".[12] The National Club has six rooms of hotel-style accommodations for visiting members and guests. The red brick, four-storey Georgian building has undergone several periods of extensive internal renovation in its history to maintain both the cosmetic and mechanical aspects of the facilities. In 2014 the National Club received the "Club of the Year Award" from the Canadian Society of Club Managers.[13]
The National Club has a significant collection of Canadian art and a wine cellar with approximately 40,000 bottles. Stained glass windows in the Main Dining Room depicting the arms of Canada and the provinces were created by the Toronto company of Pringle & London, which worked with Tiffany & Co. and also installed many of the Toronto church and cathedral stained glass windows in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The National Club is connected to the Toronto PATH system of concourses and tunnels through an unmarked door leading to the lower level of the Scotia Plaza. The National Club is affiliated with approximately 250 other private clubs in Canada and around the world, providing its members with reciprocal dining and accommodation privileges.
Membership
Members must be men or women over the age of 21 years and be of good character, and be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors.[14] The National Club has approximately 500 resident members, in addition to members in senior, overseas and other categories. The National Club was one of the earliest Toronto private city clubs to extend full membership to women in 1992.[15]
The membership of the former Ontario Club joined the National Club in 2010 after the lease expired on its own clubhouse in Commerce Court.
Prominent members
The National Club has had on its roster a number of noted Canadians, including many national and provincial politicians. Sir Wilfrid Laurier was an early member and sat for a portrait after opening the current clubhouse in 1907. Others include:
The Hon. Lincoln M. Alexander, 26th lt. Gov. Ontario
^Meritsoft Corporation - BUZ Software - WebCommunicator - www.webcommunicator.net. "Membership". The National Club. Retrieved 2013-04-04.
^"125: The first 125 years - The National Club", p. 8
^"National Club holds annual meeting and elects officers", Toronto Daily Star, 4 May 1899
^"National Club [Civil Institution]". Reg.gg.ca. 2005-07-28. Retrieved 2013-04-04.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to National Club.
Official website
Official blog
Toronto's Historical Plaques – National Club
Toronto's Historical Plaques – The "Canada First" Movement
January 06, 2023
national, club, private, club, founded, 1874, business, professionals, located, financial, district, downtown, toronto, ontario, canada, provides, private, dining, meeting, facilities, well, accommodations, members, guests, founded6, july, 1874, years, 1874, l. The National Club is a private club founded in 1874 for business professionals located in the Financial District of Downtown Toronto Ontario Canada It provides private dining and meeting facilities as well as accommodations to its members and guests National ClubFounded6 July 1874 148 years ago 1874 07 06 Location303 Bay StreetToronto Ontario CanadaWebsitethenationalclub com Contents 1 History 2 Today 3 Membership 4 Prominent members 5 Grant of arms 6 Presidents 7 See also 8 References 9 External linksHistory EditThe National Club was founded by Ontario Letters Patent on July 6 1874 There were 24 members in the original roster 1 The National Club was created to provide a home and Toronto focus for Canada First a nationalist movement founded in 1868 by George Denison Henry Morgan Charles Mair William Foster and Robert Grant Haliburton Canada First sought to promote a sense of national purpose and to lay the intellectual foundations for Canadian nationality On March 30 1875 the National Club moved into rented premises on the west side of Bay Street immediately south of the building that housed the original Toronto Stock Exchange 2 The Club s first president was Dr Goldwin Smith a prominent historian and journalist and a supporter of the Canada First movement His First Vice President was William Pearce Howland the second Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Other founders included the Hon Edward Blake Ontario s first premier and Sir Oliver Mowat Ontario s second premier 3 By the 1880s the Canada First movement virtually disappeared 4 and the National Club had established itself as a general business and social club for Toronto s business and political leaders of all affiliations The National Club in 1909 In 1903 50 000 of a total estimated construction cost of 90 000 was raised by subscription among National Club members to purchase a lot and build a new clubhouse at 303 Bay Street 5 6 7 On September 12 1906 the cornerstone was laid and on December 17 1907 the National Club s new premises opened 8 The following day The Globe newspaper described the new premises designed by noted Toronto architect S George Curry as Architecturally a triumph 8 The building is protected under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act since March 17 1976 and also enjoys a heritage easement agreement since July 16 1984 It was designed by S G Curry of the Sproatt amp Rolph architectural firm 9 The firm of Sproatt amp Rolph was responsible for designing a number of other Toronto landmarks including Hart House University of Toronto the Canada Life Building the Fairmont Royal York Hotel Bishop Strachan School Eaton s College Street store and the Canada Permanent Trust building across the street from the National Club 10 The National Club is one of the few remaining intact buildings on Bay Street from this period Today Edit Exterior view in 2019 The National Club maintains its historic clubhouse at 303 Bay Street composed of three large principal dining rooms eleven private meeting rooms and three lounges A new rooftop patio and enclosure was opened in early 2014 11 A major renovation was undertaken in 2017 18 that created a new bistro style wine bar and open kitchen dining facility on the front of the 4th floor of the Club called the 1874 Bar amp Grill 12 The National Club has six rooms of hotel style accommodations for visiting members and guests The red brick four storey Georgian building has undergone several periods of extensive internal renovation in its history to maintain both the cosmetic and mechanical aspects of the facilities In 2014 the National Club received the Club of the Year Award from the Canadian Society of Club Managers 13 The National Club has a significant collection of Canadian art and a wine cellar with approximately 40 000 bottles Stained glass windows in the Main Dining Room depicting the arms of Canada and the provinces were created by the Toronto company of Pringle amp London which worked with Tiffany amp Co and also installed many of the Toronto church and cathedral stained glass windows in the late 1800s and early 1900s The National Club is connected to the Toronto PATH system of concourses and tunnels through an unmarked door leading to the lower level of the Scotia Plaza The National Club is affiliated with approximately 250 other private clubs in Canada and around the world providing its members with reciprocal dining and accommodation privileges Membership EditMembers must be men or women over the age of 21 years and be of good character and be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors 14 The National Club has approximately 500 resident members in addition to members in senior overseas and other categories The National Club was one of the earliest Toronto private city clubs to extend full membership to women in 1992 15 The membership of the former Ontario Club joined the National Club in 2010 after the lease expired on its own clubhouse in Commerce Court Prominent members EditThe National Club has had on its roster a number of noted Canadians including many national and provincial politicians Sir Wilfrid Laurier was an early member and sat for a portrait after opening the current clubhouse in 1907 Others include The Hon Lincoln M Alexander 26th lt Gov Ontario Joseph E Atkinson founder of the Toronto Star newspaper Wilfrid Dinnick developer of Toronto s Lawrence Park Estates Timothy Eaton founder of Eaton s department stores Gerhardt Heintzman founder of Heintzman Pianos Sidney Hermant President of Imperial Optical JP Hynes renowned Canadian architect responsible for the design of the Hotel Victoria originally Hotel Mossop Edward J Lennox noted architect responsible for the design of Old City Hall Casa Loma and King Edward Hotel John Northway founder of Northway Department Stores Henry Patten General Manager Toronto Transportation Commission Robert Simpson founder of Simpson s department stores 16 Fred Smye President of Avro Aircraft Limited Canada Grant of arms EditIn 1996 the National Club was granted its own arms and flag by the Canadian Heraldic Authority 17 Presidents EditYear President1875 76 Dr Goldwin Smith1877 Sir William P Howland1878 Dr Goldwin Smith1879 82 The Hon Adam Crooks1883 84 Col George T Denison1885 86 Alexander Manning1887 89 Hugh Blain1890 91 Barlow Cumberland1892 John Akers1893 96 Frank Arnoldi Q C 1897 1900 W K McNaught1901 02 John F Ellis1903 05 Col Noel G L Marshall1906 07 W K George1908 09 G T Irving1910 11 William Stone1912 13 W P Gundy1914 15 A L Malone1916 R Southam1917 R S Gourlay1918 19 S Casey Wood K C 1920 F A Rolph1921 22 G E Scroggie1923 24 John Turnbull1925 26 C B McNaught1927 28 E G Long K C 1929 30 John Westren1931 32 C E Abbs1933 34 Brig Gen C H Mitchell C B C M G D S O 1935 36 J J Gibbons1937 38 T W Jull1939 F Erichsen Brown K C 1940 J M Lalor1941 J T Richardson K C 1942 J Y Murdoch K C LL D 1943 E W Bickle1944 E C Fox LL D 1945 H J Coon1946 William Zimmerman K C 1947 H R Stephenson1948 H B Housser1949 Robert Lynch Stailing1950 W G Malcolm1951 J A Northey1952 D A Y Merrick1953 W W McLaughlin Q C 1954 S A Duke1955 E H Dickinson1956 A P Jewett O B E 1957 J A Scythes1958 L J McGowan1959 H P Herington F C A 1960 R G Meech Q C 1961 H T O Neil1962 A J Mylrea1963 H H Webb M B E 1964 W W Parry Q C 1965 W Dent Smith LL D 1966 John F Ellis M B E 1967 W P Freyseng1968 John E Langdon1969 J D MacFarlane M B E 1970 Oakah L Jones1971 J G Housser M C E D 1972 Murray Bosley1973 W Grant Ross1974 J S Deacon1975 F R Hume Q C 1976 C Gordon Page1977 A R Marchment F C A 1978 D W Morrison D F C 1979 W H Broadhurst F C A 1980 R C Meech Q C 1981 G W Woods F C A 1982 E J Mannion1983 S E Eagles D C L 1984 M A Hasley1985 J Chisholm Lyons Q C 1986 R G Stackhouse F C A 1987 R H Hawkes Q C 1988 E B Heyland1989 Peter P Biggs1990 R E MacKay F C A 1991 W B Boggs1992 R E Lint1993 J A Black1994 J A Bradshaw Q C 1995 M J O Leary1996 Roger A Lindsay of Craighall1997 Hugh H Turnbull1998 George A Fierheller C M B A LL D 1999 L Diane Woodruff2000 John M McGuire2001 The Honourable Mr Justice Randall Scott Echlin2002 Eric Stevenson2003 Col Blake C Goldring C F A LL D 2004 Catherine Lyons2005 Stephen LeDrew2006 Pamela P Jeffery2007 Ed Burns2008 Joseph J Markson2009 Daniel N Argiros2010 T John Quinn2011 P Lee Fisher2012 Norman F Torrie2013 Stephen J Lautens2014 Bruce Bowser2015 Sean Hoehn2016 Craig Smith2017 18 Winnie Lindy Go current See also EditList of gentlemen s clubs in CanadaReferences Edit Hawkes D F ed The National Century A history of The National Club 1874 to 1974 Toronto 1974 page IX The National Century p 3 125 The first 125 years The National Club Toronto 1999 page 2 http www thenationalclub com images sitepicts images 125Book pdf Gough Barry M Historical Dictionary of Canada 2nd Ed Scarecrow Press 2010 pp 112 13 The National Century p 15 The National Club Life membership provided on payment of 1000 The Toronto Star 6 January 1906 Members Indorse the Proposal to Purchase Old Robinson House Toronto Daily Star 5 January 1904 a b The National Century p 31 Heritage Property Detail City of Toronto Heritage Retrieved August 2 2016 Once Upon A City The opulent landmarks of Sproatt amp Rolph Toronto Star March 9 2017 https www thestar com yourtoronto once upon a city archives 2017 03 09 once upon a city the opulent landmarks of sproatt rolph html The National Club Rooftop Patio Liquor License Received 24 January 2014 Dining Room Menu Member s Dining Private Club Toronto The National Club thenationalclub com Archived from the original on 2017 05 22 https secure cscm org default asp id 1513 dead link Meritsoft Corporation BUZ Software WebCommunicator www webcommunicator net Membership The National Club Retrieved 2013 04 04 125 The first 125 years The National Club p 8 National Club holds annual meeting and elects officers Toronto Daily Star 4 May 1899 National Club Civil Institution Reg gg ca 2005 07 28 Retrieved 2013 04 04 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to National Club Official website Official blog Toronto s Historical Plaques National Club Toronto s Historical Plaques The Canada First Movement Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title National Club amp oldid 1105638689, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
