Following their graduation in 1895, a group of five Princeton men decided to create a social club to celebrate the friendships they had made. Originally known as "The '95 Club of New York," this small organization would grow to be the University's largest alumni organization — the Princeton Club of New York.
Though the membership fee is small — undergraduates pay only $35 for a 15-month membership — prices for other club services can run high. With the club located in the heart of Manhattan, the daily rate for a single room runs at a base price of $140.
The club originally was a men's club for local alumni. But with a current, international membership in the thousands, its services have since been expanded. The 43rd Street building houses its own library, athletic facility, dining hall, hotel rooms and even a barbershop.
"The club sounds great and I plan to sign up for membership," said Jacob Thomas '05, who will work in Manhattan this summer. "Although I doubt I'll ever need to stay in their hotel rooms or at their restaurant, the onsite gym would be really convenient since I don't belong to any athletic clubs in Manhattan."
Social events at the club include regatta races, book readings and yoga seminars. It is open to any individual who has studied at the University as as well those who have attended Columbia University, which merged with the club when its own organization dissolved.
Membership also provides access to non-University-affiliated, private clubs throughout the world — such as the Bankers Club of Malaysia and the Royal Scottish Automobile Club. More information can be found on the club's website, www.princetonclub.com.
"The club's nice but it seems like more a place for rich alumni than a kid like me scraping together some money and experience over the summer. If I want a place to hang out or workout, there are always other places, like the YMCA, NYU or Columbia," Mike Addis '05 said.
While some students expressed reluctance about joining the club now, many agreed that they might consider joining after college.
"I don't need a lot of their services now. But after I graduate and earn some money, it sounds like a cool place to meet up with other Princetonians," one student said.
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