Private Clubs of Seattle

Seattle’s private clubs, most of which continue to serve their members today over 100 years after their founding, were all established within walking distance of each other downtown. The University Club, College Club, Rainier Club, and Arctic Club were social outlets for privileged men of the community, while the Seattle Tennis Club and Washington Athletic Club provided an athletic outlet for members. Women’s clubs such as the Sunset Club, Woman’s Century Club, and Women’s University Club gave upper-class women the opportunity to widen their knowledge through classes and good works in their community, allowing them social interaction with women of like mind and status. Much of Seattle’s history is linked to these clubs, and their archives hold the key to what club life gave to its members so long ago.