Rainier Club, Private social club in Downtown Seattle, United States
The Rainier Club is a private clubhouse featuring Tudor Revival architecture at Fourth Avenue and Columbia Street in downtown Seattle. The building with its steep gables and ornate woodwork spans multiple floors and contains dining rooms, meeting halls, and fitness facilities for members.
The club was founded in 1888 by six civic leaders in Seattle and relocated to its present location in 1904, when architect Kirtland Cutter designed the building. These two dates mark the institution's birth and its move to a more prominent setting during Seattle's period of growth.
The membership evolved to include women starting in 1978 and people from diverse backgrounds, reflecting how the club adapted to Seattle's changing society. Walking through its halls today, you sense a private institution that has worked to become more open to different members.
The clubhouse is generally accessible to members and their guests, so check ahead about visiting hours and access policies before planning a visit. Its downtown location makes it easy to reach and puts you near other historic buildings and dining options in the center of the city.
The club served as the launching point for the 1899 Harriman Alaska Expedition, when renowned naturalists John Muir and John Burroughs departed from here for Arctic exploration. This connection to major exploration and scientific discovery remains part of the club's heritage today.
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