Question: Ever wondered where Washington’s elite have gathered for over a century? That place is the Metropolitan Club. It stands on H Street Northwest. The Metropolitan Club is more than just a building. It is a symbol of history and prestige.
The Metropolitan Club’s story began in 1863. Six U.S. Treasury Department officials sought to create a social and literary club. Just twelve days later, the Metropolitan Club was officially born. Forty-three members joined the club. Dues were $50 in the first year.
In 1883, the club acquired land on the corner of H and 17th Streets for a mere $10. The Metropolitan Club then erected the first purpose-built club structure in Washington, D.C. Architects W. Bruce Gray and Harvey L. Page designed the Victorian-style building. Sadly, a fire destroyed it in 1904.
From 1905 to 1908, the Metropolitan Club temporarily met in rented spaces. A new home was needed. The architectural firm of Heins & LaFarge designed the current building. It was constructed from 1904 to 1908.
The brick and limestone Renaissance revival-style building stands proudly at 1700 H Street NW. It is just two blocks from the White House. In 1925, a two-story annex was added. Frederick H. Brooke of Donn and Deming designed it.
Inside the five-story Metropolitan Club, you will find many rooms. There is a lobby, a coat room and a card room. The library boasts 15,000 books. A grill room, a lounge and a dining room offer spaces for relaxation and socializing. Sleeping quarters and a barbershop provide additional convenience. The Metropolitan Club even has a steam room, an exercise room and two squash courts. A museum honors the club’s governors. Offices, a kitchen and a wine cellar complete the interior.
Theodore Roosevelt plotted aspects of the Spanish-American War at the Metropolitan Club in 1898. During the Watergate scandal, Henry Kissinger and James Reston met here regularly. The club prohibited cell phones and note-taking to ensure confidentiality.
The Metropolitan Club has been recognized for its historical importance. It was listed on the District of Columbia Inventory of Historic Sites in 1964. In 1995, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
In April 2021, the Metropolitan Club opened a new rooftop venue. This $11 million project includes live music, private functions and a space for smoking cigars.
For its first century, the Metropolitan Club did not accept non-white members. Thirty members resigned in 1961 to protest this policy. Among them was Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. The Metropolitan Club began admitting black members in 1972. Bishop John T. Walker was the first. Women were not allowed to join until 1988.
In 1983, there was a five-year waiting list for membership to the Metropolitan Club.
The Metropolitan Club has hosted many notable members. These include Dean Acheson, Robert J. Atkinson and George Bancroft. Edward Fitzgerald Beale, Francis Biddle and Montgomery Blair were also members. Rupert Blue, Phillip Bonsal and Stephen Bonsal added to the club’s prestige. Arnaud de Borchgrave, David K.E. Bruce and Edward Burling also belonged to the club. Countless other prominent figures have passed through its doors.
The Metropolitan Club stands as a living testament to Washington’s history. Its walls hold stories of power, influence and social change. As we conclude our visit to the Metropolitan Club, remember its enduring legacy. It remains a symbol of exclusivity and tradition in the heart of the nation’s capital.