Maryland Club
Private social club in Baltimore, Maryland, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Maryland Club is a private social club in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 1857 as an exclusive men's club, it is today one of the oldest surviving such clubs. Its 1891 Romanesque clubhouse, located at 1 East Eager Street in the Mount Vernon neighborhood, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2024.[1]
A view of the Maryland Club in Baltimore | |
| Formation | 1857 |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Website | www |
The Maryland Club | |
    | |
| Location | 1 East Eager St. Baltimore, Maryland |
| Coordinates | 39°18′04″N 76°36′56″W |
| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1891 |
| Architect | Josias Pennington |
| NRHP reference No. | 100009814 |
| Added to NRHP | January 29, 2024 |
The Club’s members have traditionally been among the region’s prominent business, professional, civic and nonprofit leaders. Membership is by invitation only. The Club's website says it accepts a diverse membership of outstanding individuals regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation.[2]
In 1861, the Club supported the secession of the Confederate States of America.[3] The Club was closed by Union troops during the American Civil War. General Lew Wallace outraged local residents by turning the clubhouse building into a shelter for homeless former slaves.[4] The Club re-opened after the war.[3] The Club opposed Prohibition and flouted the law through the use of private lockers.[3] After a 1995 fire nearly destroyed its building, the Club restored its architectural and aesthetic elements. In 2019, a major renovation added squash facilities, improved the exercise area, added a bistro-style restaurant, and made other system upgrades.[clarification needed][citation needed][5]
In 1988, the Club began accepting Jewish members.[6] In 2021, the Club began admitting women as members through its regular admission process. Women have since been elected to the formerly all-male Board of Governors of the Club.[citation needed]
The club operates under laws for 501(c)(7) Social and Recreation Clubs; in 2025 it claimed total revenue of $5,855,267 and total assets of $16,829,122.[7] The separate Maryland Club Preservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity; in 2025 it claimed total revenue of $138,149 and total assets of $444,576.[8]
Notable members
- Jérôme Napoléon Bonaparte, the first president of the club[9]
- William Cabell Bruce[10]
- Charles W. Field[11]
- Charles F. Mayer[12]
- Charles F. Mayer (railroad president), nephew of the above
- 45th Governor of the State of Maryland, Edwin Warfield[13]
- James T. Woodward[14]
- Glenn L. Martin[15]