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P h o t o g r a P h i c m o m e n t s 1 5 3 The Hartford Club In many ways, the history of The Hartford Club is the history of Hartford. S ince 1873, some of New England's most influ- ential people have lived, spent leisure time and held conversations that have shaped the city, state and region within its storied walls. When the club was founded more than 135 years ago, it was not, by far, the first organization of its kind in the city. Among its founding members were William James Hamersley, whose firm Hamersley & Belknap published works by Horace Bushnell and Lydia Sigourney; his son William Hamersley, who founded the Connecticut Bar Association and served as state's attorney for more than 20 years before being appointed as a judge to the Supreme Court; and Charles M. Pond, who bequeathed Elizabeth Park — named for his wife — to the city of Hartford. By far, the club's most famous member was Samuel Clemens, who joined in 1881. The Hartford Club is still committed to providing its members with a first-class venue to facilitate business and social needs. Member privileges include fine dining, elegant, residential-style banquet and meeting rooms, members' cigar and smoking lounge, a billiards room, special member activities and concierge-assisted services. The club- house is a private and elegant location for leaders in business, government, philanthropy and academia to comfortably gather and socialize. It is also an upscale venue for large parties, weddings, as well as small inti- mate dinners and gatherings. The private club experi- ence is further enhanced by reciprocal privileges at more than 200 clubs worldwide. The club has also recently added the privileges of the ClubCorp network of private clubs, adding 200 more city, athletic and country clubs for members' use, as well as premier resorts such as Pinehurst and the Homestead. Over the past few years the club has reached out to the community and provided associate memberships to the leaders of several area nonprofit organizations, allowing them to utilize the club facilities to host meet- ings and events. The membership is offered at no cost to the organizations, so it is not a draw on ever-tighten- ing budgets. The club has also reached out to the young executive community in Hartford, whose mem- bers now constitute nearly one-fourth of the total membership. Partnering with the MetroHartford Alliance in a special membership program has also helped keep the club at the center of business activity in Hartford. The club's recent growth in membership across a broad spectrum is indicative of the future strength of The Hartford Club. Above: An etching of the Hartford Club Entrance. Right: a 'Tasteful Tasting.'