On September 20 at the East Gilman Street home of Frank W. Montgomery, 18 of Madison's most influential citizens met to discuss the advisability of forming a city club. The men desired to create a comfortable place where prominent city figures could dine, entertain and enjoy each other's camaraderie. On October 19, 1909 the Madison Club became a reality when the founding members signed the Articles of Organization. The Articles specified that membership was open to "any male person over the age of twenty-one who attended the first organizational meeting and whose application was approved by not less than three-fourths of the incorporating members."

Resident membership was set at $50.00 per year, non-resident dues were $25.00, and membership capacity was set at 150 persons.

The first home of the Madison Club was a former hotel called "The Harnan", located at 122 West Washington Avenue. On October 14th, following extensive renovations, the clubhouse was opened with a grand gala event. The founders of the club agreed to a five year lease of $3,330 on the building. Guest accommodations and boarding were also available. According to club by-laws, women had access to the Ladies Café if they were "of the immediate household of a resident member of the club." Women could also be entertained in any other cafe, provided they were accompanied by a male member. Card-playing was the most popular activity around the clubhouse, with Keno and Five Hundred as members' favorites. Overnight guests of the hotel included Woodrow Wilson and William Howard Taft.

Three members of the club purchased a lot at 1 East Wilson Street for the amount of $29,000. The lot was the sight to build a new clubhouse, as membership was getting too large for The Harnan.

The Georgian Revival-style clubhouse designed by Madison native Frank Riley was completed in the spring of 1918. The building cost $102,000 to build and $24,000 to furnish. On May 18th members marched to the new clubhouse in an impressive procession, but upon their arrival it was realized that they had the wrong keys and were unable to enter the new club! On the 28th of May, Teddy Roosevelt was the distinguished guest at the official dedication of the clubhouse. He was also in town to speak at a University student war rally. The Stars and Stripes were hoisted from the clubhouse for the first time by President Theodore Roosevelt on May 28th, 1918. The photograph was sent to him for autograph but his unexpected death intervened. In the new clubhouse, women were pleased with their own dining room, card room and parlor. Lunch cost $0.65 and evening dinner was $1.10. There were 24 bedrooms that rented for $25 a month or $1.50 a day. The club roster quickly grew to 450 resident members and 150 non-resident members. The August 1919 issue of Hotel Monthly magazine called the new facility, "One of the most consistently planned and comfortably furnished club homes in America."

Prohibition did not put a stop to the good times at the club. UW football and basketball were of the utmost interest to members. Saturday afternoons at the club were a treasured time, as members would eagerly gather at the club to listen to Joe Steinhauer broadcast UW football games. "Doc" Meanwell, the UW head basketball coach, was director of the club during this time."

Prohibition was repealed and the club celebrated by opening a small bar. Before applying for a liquor license, members decided to first finish off the supply from their "private lockers" down in the basement. When the liquor license was secured, female members were not pleased with the club policy that prohibited women from drinking any alcohol but beer. The first reciprocal club relationships were started with Milwaukee area clubs."

Membership to the club is bolstered by the influx of troops in the area. The club granted non-resident membership to officers of the Army and Navy. These officers contributed a great deal of liveliness to the club, and on some evenings songs such as "God Bless America" and "We're in the Army Now" resonated from the clubhouse out onto the street. Member Oscar Rennebohm was elected Governor of Wisconsin; Madison Club bartender "Big Ivan" would often drive his car and help pass out campaign literature...one time he even went as far as Duluth! In 1943 police raided the Madison Club in search of slot machines. The machines were swiftly hidden in the attic, only to be uncovered when the police secured a search warrant. The case against the club was thrown out of court when the judge remarked that the machines had not been used, as they were dust-covered and out of order."

In 1954 the clubhouse underwent extensive renovations that resulted in the creation of the Lake Dining Room, the Grille and the Rumpus Room. A parking lot was also purchased at the price of $55,000. Following the renovations, many grand parties were held at the club including roof parties, "Christmas in July" complete with ice and snow, Dixieland Parties and many formals.

The night of the club's 50th Anniversary, the clock was turned back and a little extra bar time was granted.

In July, 1963, the club unveiled its 31-foot mural "Vues De L'Amerique due Nord" ("Views of North America" ) along the East wall in the lobby. The mural is based on engravings on the 1820's containing five views of American natural wonders particularly admired by Europeans; the scenes depicted on the lobby wall are the Boston Harbor, West Point Review and New York Bay. This superb wall paper was printed only in duplicate by Zuber Cie in Rixheim Alsace in 1834 and handblocked prior to its installation. The print is a duplicate of one that President and Mrs. Kennedy had installed in the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House.



On the left is the mural that hangs in the Madison Club's lobby; right, is the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House where the same mural still hangs. The room was the site of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Fireside Chats.

Hockey was the sport of choice for Badger fans, Doc DeHaven and his band played many a party, and the Terrace Room was dedicated. In 1972, the Madison Club officially opened up its membership to women after the city hinted that the club's liquor license could be revoked due to discrimination. Women no longer had to be the spouse of a member to enjoy membership privileges."

Technology enters the club through the installation of a computer system in 1981. A large renovation is undertaken and improvements to the Grille, Tap Room and hallways create a distinguished feeling reminiscent of the great British Clubs."


Left, "Reggie the Moose" looms over the Tap Room...remember, if you touch his nose you have to buy a round of drinks for everyone in the Tap Room! At right, one of the Tap Room's inviting alcoves with the late afternoon sun shining in.

In 1984, the Madison Club celebrated its 75th birthday in grand style. A gala event was held at the club that included speakers and presentations on the history of the club and some of its most memorable members. A lavish dinner was served and dancing and good times marked the evening."

Check back soon for more details of this era, and other key portions of our history, as the Madison Club is now working on creating a complete history of the facility for its 100th birthday in 2009.