The College Club of Boston

About

The College Club of Boston, founded in 1890 as the first women’s college club in the United States, is a private, inclusive Back Bay membership organization that brings together college-educated and accomplished individuals for social, intellectual, and philanthropic engagement. The Club maintains a historic brownstone clubhouse at 44 Commonwealth Avenue and emphasizes sociability, continuing intellectual growth, and community service through its Scholarship Fund. More information can be found on their website.

History

Founded in December 1890 by a group of college-educated women, the Club moved through several Back Bay addresses and purchased the current clubhouse at 44 Commonwealth Avenue in the 1920s. The Club established The College Club Scholarship Fund, a 501(c)(3), in the mid-1980s and continues to preserve its historic brownstone while operating as a social, cultural, and philanthropic membership organization. Further details are available on their history page.

Events

The College Club hosts a variety of events including book and specialty clubs, afternoon teas, author lectures, and interactive events. For a complete list of events, please visit their events page.

Programs

The Club offers ongoing programs that include multiple book and specialty interest groups, The Footstool Society (needlework), recurring social lunch programs such as Soup, Salad & Gather, cultural programming, author talks, and a recital/concert venue program centered on the Percy-Dauber Room, which features a Steinway grand piano. The College Club Scholarship Fund also provides tuition assistance to Boston public high school seniors. More information can be found on their programs page.

Membership

Membership is open to college graduates and others who have achieved success in various areas of life. The Club publishes membership categories including Resident, Non-Resident, and Junior members, but does not disclose specific initiation or annual fee amounts on the public site. Member privileges include reciprocity with other clubs, discounted Bed & Breakfast rates, member rates for room rentals, access to member-only events, and the ability to utilize the Club chef for private functions. For more details, please refer to their membership page.

Member Experience

Members have access to member-only events and social/learning programs, discounted overnight rates in the Club’s twelve-room Bed & Breakfast, and the ability to rent meeting/event rooms at member rates. The Club provides regular opportunities for informal networking across professions and encourages participation in its philanthropic activities through the Scholarship Fund. More information is available on their member experience page.

Reciprocal Clubs

The Club offers reciprocity with other clubs in its network around the world, although it does not publish a public list of reciprocal clubs on its website. For further information, please visit their reciprocal clubs page.

Facilities

The College Club is recognized as the first women's college club in the United States and was the first to have its own clubhouse. More details can be found on their facilities page.

Dining Options

The Club operates a dining room used for Club meals and Bed & Breakfast breakfast, which includes a complimentary continental breakfast for guests. It offers Soup & Gather lunch programs and catered luncheons/dinners via the Club chef for members and events. Catering for small receptions tied to recitals and functions is also available, with outside food generally not permitted. More information is available on their dining options page.

Guest Information

Bed & Breakfast guests may book online or by email/phone. Check-in is typically at 3:00 PM and check-out at 11:00 AM. The B&B provides a complimentary continental breakfast, complimentary tea/coffee/cookies, free Wi-Fi, and daily housekeeping for shared-bathroom rooms. Event and recital pages include parking guidance and reservation/contact emails and phone numbers for reservations, membership, and events. For more details, please visit their guest information page.

Contact Information

The College Club is located at 44 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02116. General inquiries can be made via phone at 617-536-9510 or email at office@thecollegeclubofboston.com. For reservations, contact accommodations@thecollegeclubofboston.com, and for membership inquiries, use membership@thecollegeclubofboston.com. Event planning inquiries can be sent to office@thecollegeclubofboston.com. Additional contact details can be found on their contact page.