The Monday Club, Inc. 4020 New Castle Avenue Wilmington, DE 19720 302 652-9755
About the Monday Club
THE MONDAY CLUB is the oldest Black Men's Social Club in the State of Delaware. It is believed to be the oldest in the United States. The club was started in 1876. In those days the Black men of the community would stop in a hotel at Front and French Streets for some small talk and a few drinks on their day off—Monday.Monday was special to those men who worked as butlers, cooks, coachmen, janitors and chauffeurs for the wealthy people in the city of Wilmington and the surrounding suburbs. The members purchased their own building at 917 French Street, and named it the Monday Club. In 2001, the Monday Club sold the 913, 915 and 917 French Street location and relocated to 4020 New Castle Avenue. The corner-stone date of 1896 marks the year the first charter was granted from the state of Delaware.The club members acted as an employment agency for the wealthy families of Wilmington and surrounding areas.The experienced members of the club instructed fellow members on how to serve large and small dinners and to prepare food attractively for parties, the training enabled others to obtain employment. Incorporated and granted a charter according to the laws of the State of Delaware, November 4, 1893, for a period of twenty years.The Charter Committee as follows:
A. G. B. AndersonWilliam H. Till
Walter B. GlasgowJohn Mason
Burnside E. AndersonJohn H. Benson
Hiram Colder
Some Past Notable Monday Club Members
Hon. Herman Holloway, Sr.Louis L. Redding, Esq.
Patrick Walker Herb Norris Hon. Dr.Al O. PlantW. Kennedy Ayers
Dr. W. W. GoensSidney Clark, Esq.
Granville l. BrewingtonEdward R. Bell
Madison H. Evans Bus Hopkins
James Gilliam, Jr. James H. Sills, Jr. the first Black Mayor of Wilmington, DE .
In 1893, another tradition was established, the Easter Monday Ball. It was always held on Monday, because that historically was the day that the members had off.The Ball is now held in June and over 500 persons attend.At the Ball, the Monday Club Man of the Year is named. Members who feel that the individual has been an outstanding contributor to the club and community in the past year select the Man of the Year.The winner's name is kept secret until the night of the ball. Today, the members are no longer just butlers, cooks, coachmen, janitors and chauffeurs. Our membership today includes Black men who are employed in a multitude of various professions.Although the Monday Club is a private social club, its members accept their civic responsibility by providing financial assistance and human services for all worthy causes.Memberships available are: Regular and Honorary. The most honored and distinguished group of members are those who have been a member thirty or more years.
Community Service Activities
Glaucoma fundraiserFeeding the Homeless
Scholarships to area youthHealth Screening Workshops Mentoring youth baseball and football leagues Tutoring
Monday Club members have created Golf, Billiard and Chess clubs, which continue to be active today.
David Clark, a member since 1958
Oldest black club dates back to 1876
The Monday Club hews to ideals of equality, service
Posted Tuesday, February 27, 2007 The Monday Club is an institution like no other.It's the oldest African American organization in Delaware."Maybe in the country," said President Robert Oliver. "We haven't found any older."Begun in 1876, the men's club was named for members' only day off from their jobs as waiters, janitors, butlers, drivers or rich white families' other hired help. The club grew to have judges, teachers, lawmakers and more.Once inside, "all men were equal," said Bill Stewart, serving as chairman.A larger-than-life portrait honors the late Herman M. Holloway Sr. (1922-94), the first black member of Delaware's Senate. Members who slipped and called him "Senator" were fined. All members were called by name. "They took equality seriously," Stewart said.The club stayed all-male but became interracial. "We've had Caucasian members over the years," Oliver said.The club enjoys growing support from women, such as Edythe Pridgen, Wilmington City Council legislative analyst. "She was the first woman to work on the club's annual ball," Oliver said.Pridgen was glad to help the June ball, where four $1,000 college scholarships are given. The club also sponsors youth baseball and an annual Wilmington pool contest.The club moved in 2002 from its historic home at 917 French St. after street parking got too scarce when MBNA grew in the area. The club had to hold events after 6 p.m. or members couldn't park, Stewart said.Elegant blue awnings now greet members and guests at its new site, 4020 New Castle Ave. (Del. 9). Floodlights show off the old club's 1896 cornerstone.It's just outside Wilmington, but still feels like the city, said David Clark, who joined in 1958 because of the club's service.And he likes the new spot: "A better place to do bigger things," he said. "And parking."The site had many earlier uses, last as a teen club. "The attic was nothing," Stewart said. "Just open and beams."Renovation created the first-floor club, kitchen, bar and pool area. Upstairs are a member lounge, office and a room that is rented out to raise scholarship funds.Service has been the club's focus since its start, Oliver said. The founders believed every man has value and dignity -- and can help others, he said.Folks like Dr. Woodrow Wilson, who joined in 1949, keep the founders' tradition of personal service, too. "He's always done a lot behind the scenes, but doesn't talk about it," Oliver said.Wilson proved him right, saying he'd rather talk of the club."The Monday Club is about uplifting the community," said Wilson, a dentist. "It's about pulling together to uplift each other and our children and our children's children to come."
To maintain a quality facility where members can gather, socialize, offer support to one another, and satisfy their responsibilities as leaders and role models in the community.
Membership Application
Prospective Members: . To be considered for membership you must complete the application and be presented to the membership by two current members (Sponsors) of the Monday Club. An application fee of $150.00 must accompany your application. You may deliver your Application to the Club (Tuesday through Sunday) or mail the form to: The Monday Club 4020 New Castle Avenue New Castle DE 19720
Guest Comments: Keep up the good work,was a friend of a past member, Carl Walton...Mary I love, respect and support The Monday Club. Thanks for being there...Nzinga When I think of the Monday Club my first thoughts are of Edgar Johnson better known as "GUNS"...Deborah I enjoyed my first experience at The Monday Club. It was The Black History Forum on 2/18/07. The program was very informative and the food was delicious. I heard about the Club from a friend in Church but I was given the impression that it was not open to the general public. I was also excited to see another friend from Church Dr. Wilson. Thanks for having the program...Julianna
