The Washington times., 1915-02-18
Organization, Now Occupying
New Home at Sixteenth
Street and New Hampshire
Avenue, Is Distinct, Having
Been Formed Under Special
Act Of Congress.
81 RUTH ELEANOR JONES.

The Congressional Club, now occupy
ing its fine new home at Sixteenth
street and New Hampshire avenue.
plays An important part in the lives OF
the women in official life in Washing
ton. serving as the center where women
from all sections Of the country meet
on common ground. 1t Is. moreover, in
one respect, quite distinct from any
other woman's club. 1t was organized
and Incorporated under special act Of
Congress. and has its place in the Con-
Hressional Directory.
That was in 1905 since then its men,
bership has grown. the scope Of its ac-
tivities has widcned. and now the DOS
session of new quarters. ample, hand
some and digniiicd. has given added
Importance to the organization. And
particularly timely is this change from
the more modest old home Of the club,
FOR never before have its activities
loomed SO large on the social calendar
With the White House In mourning.
the Cabinet restricting its entertaining
to dinners OF more or less informal
character out OF respect to the memory
Of Mrs. Wilson,. and the Diplomatic
Corps disrupted by the war. the Con-
Of the brilliant official entertaining
which is the distinctive feature OF a
Washington season.
The building OF the new club house
was quite remarkable achievement.
Not until March last was tho subject Of
a new home even broached; yet by No
vember It was completed and ready for
occupancy. and on December II the off,
cial house warming was held.
Mrs. John L. Henderson, widow of
former Senator Henderson of Missouri,
1t was, who made possible the realiza-
ton of the dream OF the members of
the club to own their own home, by
presenting them with the lot on which
the building now stands. valued at about
5000 TO the architect. George OAKLEY
Totten. jr.. too. credit is due fol con-
structing on a triangular lot a building
at once handsome, spacious and digni-
fed. Nth no hint of the hideous flat
erected or similar lots. And no small
credit should 20 to the building com
mittee. consisting of Mrs. A. J.
Volstead, of Minnesota, chairman; Mrs
dent of the club; Mrs. Henderson, Mrs
w. t. Humphrey. of Washington, and
Mrs. Horace Towner of Iowa.
Many unusual features are embodied
IN the club house. The entrance is from
New Hampshire avenue: wide hall
way stretches all across the front Of
the house. terminating at one end in
broad circular bay or tower filled by
simple but very handsome circular
staircase of stone. with rails of bronze
and lit from height by three great
pillared windows. The landing is sepa-
rated by columns only from the draw
ing room or auditorium. a curiously
shaped room, with arched ceiling and
set about with inches. This. in turn,
opens through great arched doorway
into the dining room, so that the whole
floor may ne thrown together for a
musicale. dance. or some kindred
and corniccs, as we'll as all the wood
work. are tinted q dccatc cream Colcr
the furniture is simple and rather scant
as BELTS room used for auditorium
purposes and the whole effect Is of
space dignity and charm.
Library Downstairs.
The library, red room, is down.
stairs; likewise two pretty rooms, done
in gray and howered cretonnes, which
OH informal occasions are used for
bridge or tea parties, but which. for
formal entertainments, can be closed
off and used for dressing and cloak
rooms, one for the ladies. and the
other. which opens into the library, a
smoking room for the men. On this
nuarteIs of the social secretary, Mrs
I.izbeth Lincoln. who makes her home
in the building. There are three resi-
dent servants, with rooms set apart
on the third floor. and on the same
floor. connected with the pantry by a
dumb waiter. is the kitchen. A dis
tinct departure, but most reasona bls