The first floor Dining Room is one of the busiest rooms at The Club, as it hosts most of our luncheon and dinner programs unless the guest list exceed 100, at which time the Grand Ballroom is used. Recently redecorated, the Dining Room has a charming and welcoming ambiance, large windows with an eastern exposure, a parlor grand piano, crystal chandeliers and a new wireless sound system.

The Club is very proud to have hosted Winston Spencer-Churchill, who gave a lecture at The Club in 1932, long before his Iron Curtain speech in Fulton, Missouri. It is noted in the Archives of The Club that 400 guests attended the lecture!

Measuring 35 feet by 63 feet, the Dining Room can seat 100 guests, or 60 with a dance floor. Theater seating—for wedding ceremonies or other presentations—accommodates 150 guests. The room is quite flexible and can be set for both a lecture or other meeting and dining.

The Library, formerly the secretary’s office, is perfect for luncheon or dinner for four, or an afternoon of cards. The vintage card table once belonged to Gussie Busch. Recently redecorated, the library is welcoming and serene. It offers comfortable seating by the fireplace, making it ideal for morning coffee, afternoon tea, a business meeting or conversation among friends.

A Saint Louis Woman’s Club tradition holds that when the President of The Club is in the building, she may invite members to join her in the President’s Room to socialize before an event or discuss Club matters. At all other time the room is available for private meetings, luncheons or parties.

With its southwestern location directly facing Lindell Boulevard and immediately adjacent to the front entrance of The Club, this room was originally used as a reception room in the Donaldson home. Primarily arranged in two comfortable conversation areas, it is an ideal choice for a small luncheon or dinner, easily accommodating a table of 10 or two tables of six. Additionally, it can be used to host a cocktail reception for a small group. The original pocket doors can be closed during dining or for key meetings in which privacy is desirable.

On the opposite side of the foyer from the President’s Room, immediately adjacent to the front entrance of The Club is the World’s Fair Room, featuring intricately carved pillars, fireplace surround and frieze. Club lore was that the carvings in this room came from the interior of the replica of the Ben Chama Temple, which had been recreated at the Worlds’ Fair as The National Pavilion of Siam (today’s Thailand). The pillars, frieze and fireplace applique display intricate detail in style of the beautiful craftsmanship that might have been the work of artisans of this culture.

It’s an intriguing story but has been found to be inaccurate. Close observation show that the south pillars and fireplace applique differ in design and material from the north pillars, on which the carving is significantly more intricate and refined.

In addition, the Moorish-style frieze fits perfectly within the bay windows, indicating that the carved frieze and window ceilings were most likely placed in the house during its construction in 1895—years before the opening of the Fair in 1904.

Although there has never been a definitive solving of this puzzle, it is speculated that the frieze and two sets of pillars in the bay window may be from Chicago’s Columbian Exposition of 1893 that was said to have several exhibits from the Middle East and may have also included exhibits from South Asia.

Formerly a side porch, in 1929 during the second renovation of the Clubhouse, the Salon was enclosed to be used as a tearoom. Currently it serves as an informal entrance to The Club, adjacent to the parking on the east side of the building. It is ideal for bar service and often serves that purpose prior to Club events. If no valet service is used, most guests enter through the Salon, which makes it a convenient location for place cards, trays of champagne or a place for hosts to greet guests. It includes a full-service bar.

For many members, the Private Dining Room is a favorite place for entertaining as it truly has the feel of a dining room in a private home. One of its most striking features is the hand painted Oriental style wallpaper with non-repeating patterns which was installed in the 1930s. Wallpapers like this one were introduced to the West by 18th century Chinese merchants who presented them as gifts to their important European clients. The 1930s material depicting English landscapes was replaced in 1992 with a non-repeating paper of hand painted nature scenes. Recently a small damaged section was recreated and replaced; it is a challenge to find the new section!

This is a supremely flexible room, lending itself to dinners, meetings, showers and other intimate events. Measuring 21 feet by 25 feet, the large table can accommodate 25 guests. The room is also lovely when set with several smaller tables. In that configuration, 30 guests can be seated. A cocktail buffet is also an option for entertaining.

A large living room, measuring 17 feet by 69 feet, includes several separate seating areas making it perfect for entertaining. It provides a comfortable gathering place as guests enjoy cocktails before dinner, a lovely place to circulate before a wedding ceremony, or can be set up for a cocktail buffet with a table at the north end of the room. There is room for a bar as well. This room hosts The Club’s Book Club, French Conversation Group, Prospective Member Champagne Receptions and is perfect as families gather prior to the popular Christmas and Easter buffets. The fireplace with its comfortable loveseats adds to the warm ambiance of this room. Possibilities for arranging the space are nearly endless.

There are many interesting pieces in the Living Room, although none has a particular history associated with them. The Chinese-style, intricately carved coffee table hides elaborate stools, which can be pulled out for seating.

Used by the members for monthly Board of Governors meetings, this wonderful room on the second floor has windows on three sides and a view across Lindell Boulevard. It displays the photographs of our past presidents, dating back to 1903. Recently redecorated, one end of the 18 by 46-foot room now provides a beautiful living room setting. A large Oriental carpet anchors the room, which includes a grand piano and a magnificent crystal chandelier.

This space is ideal for business meetings, board meetings and luncheons seating up to 25 guests at the large table. Several smaller tables are also possible, and the room functions well for card parties.

This Board of Governors room is often referred to as the Bride’s Room or the Green Room, as it provides a quiet and private space away from the Ballroom and other large rooms for the bridal party or speakers to relax prior to their big moment. It is the perfect spot for cocktails and an intimate dinner party, a small business function or breakfast.

The expansive and versatile Foyer provides a number of wonderful opportunities for entertaining. Full-service bars can be set up and hors d’oeuvres passed or presented on a round table in the Living Room, which is immediately adjacent to the Foyer. A stunning 19th century Louis XVI-style French commode can hold place cards, flowers or even a cheese and fruit buffet. The foyer has a decidedly French flair. The commode is vantaux (casement/doors), modeled on a piece designed by Guillaume Bennerman for Marie Antoinette. The credenza features a white-veined marble top above three frieze drawers and two large cupboard doors. The bronze mounts include scrolling foliage framing a bronze roundel of Goddess and Pratti, concealing a set of interior fitted drawers.

Three Greek Revival divans are placed around the room with noble backs, graceful curves and scrolls, and well-carved frames. These provide seating for guests. During the holidays, this is a particularly welcoming and festive area, featuring a beautifully decorated tree. The Library and President’s Room, the World’s Fair Room and the formal Living Room allow for a large number of guests to mingle and enjoy cocktails. The coat room and women’s lounge are nearby.

The Club’s elevator, which is the same style and kind still in use in Buckingham Place in London, was installed during the second renovation of The Club. It is carefully maintained and remains operative for use by members and their guests for access to the Ballroom on the second floor.