New Yorker Staats-Zeitung, March 17, 1891, p. 12

The German Club. – Dedication of its own building. – A superb home and superb festival.

In March of 1888 the German Club faced the alternative to extend the rental contract on its Club house on West 24th St. or to find a new building by May 1, 1891. At a General Meeting the decision was enthusiastically endorsed to find a building of its own. And now the beautiful palace, whose cornerstone was laid on December 4, 1889, is available 15 months later, built by architects McKim, Meade and White and a proud edifice of the 'German Club.'

The new German Club House is on West 59th St. near 6th Ave. with 75 feet facing Central Park. The building is 5 stories high flanked by two large stairways resting on cylindrical sand stone balls. The first floor contains a ball room festooned with simple shields. The 4th floor shows 1889 in Roman numerals with banner style ornaments below the roof line. At the center the initials ‘D.V.’ are followed by ‘Founded A.D. 1842’. The write Club flag flies above an eagle at the roof line.

The interior, like the exterior, is simple elegance, everywhere electric lights, plenty of ventilation and special precautions against fires. The kitchen, coat check, billiard room with four tables, a bowling alley and other rooms are located in the basement. The ground floor entrance has a large foyer, reception and reading room, followed by the elegant dining room, actually the main attraction of the building. Gilded stucco works rise from soft pink walls, done by local artists. The chandelier and ventilation openings are surrounded by tasteful architectural details.

A charming ladies room is located on the first floor in the style of the 1st Empire period, a smaller dining room, Committee and Reception rooms, all elegantly appointed. A recreation room faces Central Park. Club ‘Bachelor’ living quarters are located on the upper floors. Elegance and comfort was the ‘Leitmotif’ of the building committee to which a.o. belonged, Wm. Steinway, Henry Villard, etc.

Last night the dedication was celebrated with a dinner for members of the club and about 30 invited guests, a total of 250 persons. Invited but not present were the Minister of the German Reich to Washington, Graf Arco Valley and Karl Schurz. However, Oswald Ottendorfer and Liederkranz Club President Wm Vigelius, the Arion’s John B. Pannes and Guido Pleißner of the Brooklyn Germania were there. The Stump orchestra opened the festivities around 7:30 with the overture to Millöcker’s Poor Jonathan [Der arme Jonathan]. Around 9 pm President Ferdinand Motz gave the first toast in the new house and gave a short history of the ‘German Club’: Founded on December 4, 1842 at Delmonico [Restaurant] on 76 Broad Street and by October 28, 1843 membership had risen to 42 members. On November 4 that year and general meeting adopted the new by-laws. He November 17, 1848 meeting decided to rent the house at 122 Chambers and on May 1, 1853 the Club moved to 104 4th Ave. In 1862 the house next door [106] was added to accommodate the growing membership. Our thanks go to these early members vigorous and interested in continuing German customs and idea of ‘fun’, the true basis of the Club. In 1874 the Club moved to numbers 13, 15 and 17 West 24th St. But insufficient space and accommodations became evident and soon he desire for a new building grew louder and today is the reward for tireless work. Since laying the cornerstone we have come realize to trust our own strength, self-confidence and with diligence the ability to achieve something beautiful and continue the desire to promote the true interests of the Club. It is deserving of the recognition this building will afford it.

The purpose of the Club is determined by its by-laws, which state in the first paragraph, to act as the center for education and socializing for the German community of New York. The only thing missing in our purpose is a Library with at least the standard works of the great German authors and the newest reference books to support the education. And now I ask you to toast with me –“To the German Club!’

All guests and visitors reflected their pride in the German Club home: an adornment of German custom and language, knowledge and ‘Gemütlichkeit’. All wished that the German Club grow and blossom, to celebrate next year its 50th year, and aim for its 100th. And no true German will refuse to work hard for it.

[hhv]