University and Whist Club of Wilmington

About

The University and Whist Club is a private, membership dining and social club headquartered in the historic Tilton Mansion. The club's mission is to provide superior food, beverage, and service while offering an exceptional environment for members, their families, and guests to meet, socialize, and entertain. More information can be found on their About page.

Events

The club runs member events year-round, including wine tastings and dinners, Crab and Lobster Feasts, Holiday Wine Buy events, seasonal holiday dinners, game nights, family events, and occasional public events. Additionally, the facility hosts weddings, rehearsal dinners, business luncheons, private parties, and other banquets. Details about upcoming events are available on the Events page.

Programs

No formal mentorship program or dedicated professional development curriculum is listed. However, the club supports professional activity through business meeting rooms with A/V and Wi-Fi, private offices, regular networking and member events, and member-focused business and banquet services. More about the programs can be found on the Club Services page.

Member Experience

Members enjoy full-service fine dining across multiple dining rooms and private rooms, access to member-only events, waived room rental fees for meetings and banquets, in-home and off-site catering, and access to private dining and meeting spaces. Members also benefit from reciprocal privileges with over 250 clubs worldwide, discounted wine and spirits sales, and specific family benefits. Additional information is available on the Membership page.

Membership

The 2025 membership information lists various classes and dues, including Social Membership for $1,200/year, Resident Membership for $3,500/year, and Young Professional tiered dues. A non-refundable initiation fee of $750 is required with the application, along with a quarterly food and beverage minimum. Detailed membership information can be accessed here.

Eligibility

Membership classes include Resident, Non-Resident, Young Professional, Business, Government, Clerical, and Non-Profit categories. Applications require the initiation fee and payment of applicable food and beverage minimums as outlined in the club’s membership information. More details can be found on the membership information page.

Reciprocal Clubs

The club maintains relationships with over 250 reciprocal clubs across the United States and abroad and is a ClubCorp affiliate, providing access to an additional ~300 golf and country clubs. Reciprocal visitors are required to provide a Letter of Introduction prior to arrival. More information can be found on the Club Services page.

Facilities

The Tilton Mansion campus includes multiple private dining rooms and event spaces, banquet and ballroom capacities for weddings and receptions, meeting rooms equipped with A/V and Wi-Fi, and a Pub Room with recreational facilities. The club also offers historic house tour options. Details about the facilities can be found on the Dining page.

Dining Options

The club features full-service fine dining across several a la carte dining rooms, an extensive wine and beverage program, and takeout service. Typical dining hours are Tuesday to Friday, with closures on weekends except for special events. More information on dining options can be found on the Dining page.

Guest Information

Non-members may only use the club as guests of members and must not remain on the premises without their accompanying member. Members are responsible for their guests and any charges incurred. Reciprocal members must provide a Letter of Introduction and settle accounts by credit card. The club's policies regarding dress code and mobile device use can be found on the Clubhouse Policies page.

History

The Tilton Mansion dates to circa 1802. The Wilmington Whist Club was organized on December 7, 1891, and the University Club of Wilmington was incorporated on April 12, 1924. The two organizations merged in 1958 to form the University and Whist Club, which has since used the Tilton Mansion as its clubhouse. More about the history can be found on the History page.

Seasonal Operations

The club publishes seasonal notes and schedules, primarily operating Tuesday to Friday with closures on weekends except for events. The Carriage House Bar & Lounge operates seasonally, and the club offers scheduled historic tours with meal packages by reservation. More details can be found on the Dining page.

Contact Information

The club is located at 805 North Broom Street, Wilmington, DE 19806. For inquiries, you can reach them at Phone (302) 658-5125 or Fax (302) 658-6415. The club's contact page lists the General Manager, Executive Chef, Banquet Manager, and Dining Room Manager, along with their contact options.