I’m smiling as I post this historical door not just because it is a handsome door but because of how it came to me.
It came from my friend, Marilyn, who lives in Michigan. She taught in Connecticut for many years, and a former student took the photo while in New York and sent it to her.
This is a side door of the Union League Club which is located at 38 East 37th Street on the corner of Park Avenue, New York City.
Photo credit: Wikipedia
It is a private social club formed in 1863 by pro-union men who desired to “strengthen a love and respect for the Union” and oppose the Civil War.
Over the years, fifteen Presidents, Senators, Congressmen, diplomats, cabinet members and CEOs of many corporations have enjoyed a quiet meeting area, dining rooms, social events, and a speaker program.
A little sanding, some patching, and a nice coat of paint would do wonders for this door and keep it working for another 156 years.
Every Thursday, Norm, rounds up doors from all over the world. This door has already traveled to several states to get to this post. I love it.
Happy first Thursday in September and may all the doors you approach be open and welcoming. 🙂
Linked to Norm Frampton’s Thursday Doors – September 5, 2019.
This is the side door?!! It deserves centre stage 🙂
I love the circuitous route it’s taken to reach you and ultimately the rest of us.
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It is interesting when your friends know you collect doors. It always makes me smile.
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What a Door! …with some Historical “Meat” behind it! Now if we could just get someone to give it some tender loving care. To bring it back to its historical beauty.
Happy Thursday to you my friend.
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It certainly could use a little love and some elbow grease. 🙂
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How beautiful, not only for themselves but for their history. From New York to Connecticut to Michigan to New Hampshire to Indiana and the world — ah, the wonderful ways of the blog! So many things to lift us up! I covet that lantern, by the way. A happy first September Thursday to you, too, Judy, and many kind doors before you!
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Sometimes, the hardware is as interesting as the door itself. 🙂
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Oh that is such a pretty and unique door to be on the side of a building. Seems like with a little TLC it could be so much more!
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You are so right. 🙂
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Is this a great door or what?! A little TLC would go a long way to preserve this door and the history that’s passed through it.
I just love the journey that first photo took to reach you. Perhaps if you forwarded this blog to the Union League Club it might coax them to spruce things up!!
🐾Ginger 🐾
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Wouldn’t that be a hoot. I love it. 🙂
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As someone who is drawn to abandoned buildings, I have to admit the shabbiness of that door appeals to me. Certainly gives it a storied look.
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It certainly didn’t come from Home Depot. 🙂
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Sure didn’t! Tee-hee!
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The door is beautiful and the connection is heartwarming! Happy Thursday.
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Good weekend to you too. 🙂
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Wow. This is an interesting one! My first thought, though, was about the identity of the faces. Are they different enough to be individual people? Wonder if that’s true. And if so, who they are? Or are the center two the same, and the end ladies mirror images of each other – looking different ways? Are they muses? Or the wives of founding members? Or generic faces sculpted by masons after someone important said, “Hey! How about four lady faces up there on the lintel? That would look cool!”
This is driving me crazy! Any way to find out? 🙂
And yeah – scrape that door and PAINT IT for gosh sakes! And then have Judy’s group come and plant two beautiful urns of annuals on each side!
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So…I sent them an email and asked if they knew anything about the faces. I haven’t heard anything yet, but if I do you’ll be the first to know. 🙂
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It’s lovely and a side door you say! I love the faces above the door. Great history and I do love door enablers and cohorts! You have a good one there.
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🙂
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That first door is a bit run down, but still pretty anyway.
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It definitely has seen better days that is for sure. 🙂
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I clicked on the link to the official site for the Union League, and I’m glad I did. What a beautiful looking library. – Marty
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Definitely a classy place, and that library is gorgeous. 🙂
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Yes a little TLC would help but I think it holds its own with any of the doors we post each week. And of course I just love the circuitous route this image took in order to make it to our weekly stage 😉
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Look at the door following you created, Norm. 🙂
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It could do with some TLC but is quite lovely with the wrought iron work. I love that your friends add to your door collection.
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It just makes me chuckle when someone sends me a door. It’s great. 🙂
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That is a great one, a classic!
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A great door Judy .. reminds me of some of the doors we saw in Italy … neglected but beautiful!
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You said it in two words – ‘neglected but beautiful.’ 🙂
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I’m surprised this looks so shabby–wouldn’t you think they’d do a better job of spiffing it up? It does have such a lot of appeal.
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It is surprising when a mere piece of sandpaper and some paint would do wonders for it. Maybe they’re embracing ‘shabby chic.’ 🙂
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I love the door, but love the story of how it came to be here even more!
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Blogging, as you well know, is a community, and sometimes it just makes you smile.
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Great door – lots of character. Looks as if there should be a Dickens novel going on behind it.
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Yes, it makes you wonder how many hands have pulled it open over the years. 🙂
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So many amazing spots in NYC that one doesn’t really notice, doors especially! This one is a beauty as is its history.
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Sisterhood of the Traveling Door! I dig it. It’s lovely — and so nice when people bring us doors!
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