HISTORY of the WARDROOM CLUB

Shortly before the turn of the 20th century, a group of gentlemen from a Reserve activity called the Naval Brigade formed a dining club which was to meet once a month in Boston. They wanted this club to have an atmosphere as much as possible (with a wine mess included) like that of a Navy Wardroom ashore. Most of the original members were veterans of the Spanish-American war, but they all shared a love of the sea and strong interest in the Navy. The leader in organizing this club was Captain John W. Weeks, USN, destined later to become a Congressman, a Senator, and the Secretary of War. It was his thought to develop a venue for meetings to reminisce about Naval experiences and for the discussion of all things nautical. The Naval Brigade was a very active part of the Massachusetts Volunteer Militia, and it had high “esprit de corps.” Its members affectionately nicknamed themselves “The Web-Footed Volunteers” since many of their training exercises were practice-landing operations on the islands of Boston Outer Harbor. The dining club was soon given the name of “The Wardroom Club” and prospered from the very start under the strong leadership of Captain Weeks. The Club was incorporated on February 14, 1902, at which time its regular meetings were being held at the Wharf Rats Club on India Wharf overlooking Boston Inner Harbor. Soon, however, The Club determined to have quarters of its own, and space was leased at No. 6 Rowe’s Wharf.

Today, nearly a century and a quarter after its founding, the club continues to meet along the Boston waterfront, with meetings that normally occur at the Coast Guard Base in Boston on the third Wednesday of each month. They are held between October and May. After a tasty catered dinner along with a bar, a guest speaker is presented to the Club on one of a wide range of interesting topics.