April 11, 2005

Refining History

The histories of UA and the University Club run parallel. The facility offers UA faculty, staff and alumni a historical ambience with modern amenities. (photos provided by Alabama Alumni Magazine)

by Danny Hanbery

Visitors and members walking onto the landscaped, springtime grounds of the University Club can almost feel the years swim by in reverse. Steeped in history, the club serves as a private dining facility for members and their guests, who are primarily connected to The University of Alabama, though membership is open to others as well.

The histories of the University Club and the University run parallel. This Greek Revival home was built on land reserved by the U.S. Congress as part of the 1819 donation to endow "a seminary of learning" for the new state of Alabama. Later that year, however, University trustees sold the land in order to finance the building of the University.

The land was sold to steamboat captain and state legislator James H. Dearing in 1834, only a few years after the University opened, and he built his home on the land. Its appearance has changed very little from that original building.

Collage of photos of University Club interior The University Club later served as a governor's mansion, a doctor's office and a venue for entertaining soldiers during World War II, before University President Raymond Paty acquired the home for use as a social center for faculty and staff in 1944.

On any given day, you can find meetings of civic groups on the Sun Porch or ladies playing bridge in the Music Room. The laughter of wedding parties and rehearsal dinners can often be heard echoing in the hallways, mingling with the scent of succulent dishes from the kitchens.

But not long ago the only sound in the building was the pound of hammers and the only smell that of fresh paint.

"It all started when our members wanted an elevator," said Pat Winters, office manager for the club. Winters was explaining how the ball started rolling on the recent renovations to the club, which reopened in January 2004 after a year-long hiatus. During that time, the classic Greek Revival-style structure received a thorough scrubbing and polishing and underwent the addition of a few modern conveniences.

After purchasing the building, Paty put together a committee to oversee the organization of the club, a committee composed of people whose names now adorn several other campus buildings. Gordon D. Palmer, Martin ten Hoor and Jeff Coleman, and Mr. and Mrs. H. D. Warner were all involved in the initial preparation of the building as a club. In 1946, the University Club opened, sans elevator, and has been in operation ever since, closing occasionally for renovations like the one just completed.

The original plan this time around had called only for the addition of the requested elevator. Upon inspection, however, it was discovered that the building was not up to code and needed some new electrical wiring, a better plumbing system, new heating and air conditioning and a sprinkler system.

While the club was closed for these upgrades, beginning after Christmas in 2002, the walls were repainted, the woodwork was refinished and the club acquired some new antique furniture and rugs. The heavy drapes that once hung in the main dining room were removed, giving the room a lighter feel, and causing several guests to ask if the room had been enlarged during construction, said Winters. But, in fact, the ceiling has been lowered slightly to account for the new sprinkler system.

Other than that, no major architectural work was done to the house, though there are now two handicapped-accessible restrooms on each floor, which should serve as a relief to those who have stood in lines waiting for what was previously the single bathroom on the ground floor. The kitchen was also updated to its present status as state of the art, said Winters.

The modern amenities mix with antiques and art. The Warners acquired many of the antiques and furnishings that adorn the club today. For example, the carved Victorian furniture in the entrance parlor is early 19th century Belter laminated rosewood. Today, many Belter pieces are held in American museums. The Oriental rugs are Feraghan, Sarouk, Heriz and others.

With a delicious menu and a courteous staff, some of whom have been there for more than 30 years, the University Club is a unique place to go for lunch or to host a party. Lunch is served every day except Saturday in the dining room, and those in a hurry can go upstairs to the Red Room for a quick "businessman's lunch." Once or twice a month, special dinner events are held, and upstairs in the Blue Room, better known as the bar, members can sit and have a quiet drink on most weekday evenings.

Former National Alumni Association President Bobby Wooldridge, who recently became a member of the club, said he feels it adds ambiance to the University. "It's just a very different atmosphere that is convenient to downtown and to the University, and it carries history with it," he says.

Winters agrees. "It's just a relaxing place to be," she says, and invites faculty, staff and alumni to contact her about becoming University Club members at 348-4850 or by e-mail to univclub1@comcast.net.

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