About Us
The
Wamsutta Club is located inthe heart of New Bedford, acity rich in tradition and history. In 1866, Charles Warren Clifford organized an athleticclub
to play a new version of baseball. That was the beginning of the Wam
sutta
Club. The Club soon evolved into a social club. As the Club grew, it made
several moves to acquire more space. Former locations include the old
Ricketson blockof Purchase Street, the old Masonic Building at Pleasant
and Union Streets, and after being formally chartered in 1889, the former
PerryHouse at Union and County Streets. The present location, long one
of New Bedford’s landmarks, had been built in 1821 by James Arnold. After
the death of his widow in 1919, the Wamsutta Club purchased the Arnold
Mansion. Two large wings were added on the north and south, and squash
courts were added on the west side, in a basement addition.
During the period 1890-1925, the Club was a major rendezvous for area
businessmen, when the textile industry was at its height in the city.
There is no way to estimate the number of bales of cotton that were bought
and sold during meetings among businessmen at the Club.
When the Great Depression struck and the textile industry declined, the
Club faced a problem of declining membership. Dues were reduced, the membership
was re-established on a broader base, and the Club’s programs were expanded
to meet the needs of a changing community.
Today, the Wamsutta Club continues its tradition of fine food and personalized
service for its members and their guests.
