University Cottage Club of Princeton

The University Cottage Club of Princeton, commonly referred to as Cottage Club, is one of the eleven current eating clubs at Princeton University in Princeton, New Jersey. It is a nonprofit organization known for its rich history and architectural significance.

History

The club's origins date back to 1884 when a group of freshmen, known as "The Seven Wise Men of Grease," began dining together at Dohm's Restaurant on Nassau Street. During their sophomore year, they moved to a hotel on the corner of Railroad Avenue (now University Place), but the meals there were not much improved. In their junior year, they found a small house south of the hotel, known as "The University Cottage," which became the namesake for the club. The group adopted the name "The University Cottage Club of Princeton" in 1889.

By 1890, the club had grown and purchased land on Prospect Avenue, where it built a shingle-style Victorian clubhouse in 1892. However, this building was eventually moved to Library Place when plans for a larger structure were initiated. In 1903, Charles Follen McKim of the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead and White designed a new Georgian Revival clubhouse, which was built in 1906.

Architecture

The current clubhouse is a 2+1⁄2-story structure that stands on Prospect Avenue. It features a Georgian Revival design with a library modeled after the 14th-century library at Merton College, Oxford University. The building is adorned with English oak paneling, carved ceilings, and marble fireplaces. One of the inscriptions in the dining room reads "Ubi Amici Ibidem Sunt Opes," which translates to "Where there are friends, there are riches," a motto that has become synonymous with the club.

Cultural Significance

The University Cottage Club has been recognized both architecturally and culturally. It was added to the New Jersey Register of Historic Places on September 14, 1999, and the National Register of Historic Places on November 15, 1999. These recognitions highlight its historic integrity and significant contributions to the community.

The club has also been a hub for literary and cultural activities. Notably, F. Scott Fitzgerald began writing his novel "This Side of Paradise" in the club's library.

Membership and Inclusion

Historically, the club was among the "Big Four" eating clubs at Princeton, alongside Ivy, Cap and Gown, and Tiger Inn. Initially an all-male institution, it admitted women for the first time in 1986 following a lawsuit for sex discrimination. Today, the club emphasizes inclusivity, offering financial assistance through the Glinka Scholarship Fund to help students join regardless of their financial situation.

Notable Members

The club has been associated with numerous distinguished individuals, including John Foster Dulles, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Livingston T. Merchant, Nicholas deB. Katzenbach, Gov. Brendan T. Byrne, Sen. Christopher S. Bond, Sen. William W. Bradley, and Pulitzer Prize winners John McPhee and A. Scott Berg. Honorary members have included Grover Cleveland, Admiral George Dewey, and Woodrow Wilson.

Purpose

The University Cottage Club continues to serve as a gathering place for meals, friendship, and academic pursuits. It provides a sanctuary for members to study, relax, and foster lifelong friendships, contributing to the vibrant social landscape of Princeton University.