The Manor Club of Pelham
Who We Are
Est. 1913
Club History
The Manor Club of Pelham has served as a cultural cornerstone of this community for over a century. Explore the milestones that shaped our enduring legacy.
1878
Origins of a Community
The Manor Club of Pelham was officially established in 1913. Prior to the establishment, the cornerstone for the original building was laid in 1887. It was a men's club called The Manor Club and, although exclusive to men, the wives and female friends were usually invited to use the building on Tuesdays. The activities the women held became known as the Tuesday Afternoon Club, a tradition that continues to present day — Tuesday luncheons and programs.
1883
Land & Incorporation
The Club voted to purchase two lots of land on the Esplanade, numbers 161 and 162. The purchase price was three hundred dollars. On May 28, 1883, The Manor Club was officially incorporated. Plans were made for the building, and Mr. F. Charles Merry was engaged as the architect.
1887
The Cornerstone
The cornerstone was laid on Thanksgiving Day with hymns and speeches. Mr. Henry W. Taft, brother of President William Howard Taft, was the speaker. In 1888 the Club was opened — housing a tiny stage for amateur theatricals, lectures and musicals, an assembly hall for dancing, a ladies reception room with a large fireplace and library, poolroom, billiard room, kitchen, dining room, bowling alley, tennis courts, and croquet grounds. Membership fees were $12 a year per family.
1900–1914
The First Ladies
The Four First Ladies of The Manor Club were Mrs. James Francis Secor, Mrs. Robert A. Holmes, Mrs. William Bradley Randall, and Mrs. Robert C. Black. Mrs. James Francis Secor served as President of the Tuesday Afternoon Club from 1900–1914 and eventually as President of The Manor Club — a total Presidency of 25 years. Her portrait, an original 1922 painting by notable portraitist George Brehm, hangs over the fireplace in the library.
1913
Formal Establishment
By 1913 the men's club disbanded and they offered the building to the women of the Tuesday Afternoon Club. The women accepted. From that moment the membership and activities increased and required a larger space. Instead of enlarging their current space, the women decided it was more economical to build a new one.
1922
A New Clubhouse
The new clubhouse was formally opened in 1922. By 1930, more space was needed, and additions were attached to the theatre and its entrance on the side of the building. The building was so well constructed and located that it was one of the Pelham buildings for which a complete billeting plan was made during World War II.
Today
A Living Legacy
Today The Manor Club has the same configuration as it had in 1930. The Manor Club is registered on the Federal and NYS Registers of Historic Buildings — a testament to its enduring architectural and cultural significance in the Pelham community.
Vision
Arts as a Cornerstone
The Manor Club of Pelham envisions a community where the arts remain a cornerstone of culture, education, and civic life. Guided by our historic legacy, we strive to expand artistic access and engagement for all residents.
We see a future in which the arts continue to shape informed, empathetic, and connected citizens — particularly among our youth — ensuring that the appreciation of culture and the joy of shared experiences are passed forward from one generation to the next.
Mission
Enriching Through the Arts
The Manor Club of Pelham is dedicated to enriching our community through exceptional musical, theatrical, cultural, and literary programs. We honor our longstanding tradition of offering meaningful opportunities for education, entertainment, and artistic growth.
We proudly celebrate and uplift the diverse voices, histories, and talents that make our community unique — championing inclusion as an essential part of who we are and what we do.