Finding aid to the James River Club Papers

JONES MEMORIAL LIBRARY
2311 MEMORIAL AVENUE
LYNCHBURG, VIRGINIA 24501
(434) 846-0501
JAMES RIVER CLUB PAPERS
The collection includes menus, invitations, photographs, stationery, membership
rosters and newspaper clippings about the James River Club of Lynchburg, Virginia.
BOX 1

1-1
1-2
1-3
1-4
1-5

Membership Roster, Rules
Newspaper Clippings (1960-1973)
Invitations, Programs (1960-1972)
Menu, Wine List, Artifacts
Photographs

JAMES RIVER CLUB
The James River Club, a downtown club for Lynchburg men, opened 16 March 1959
in the lower level of the Virginian Hotel. The Club was proposed for "the private use of
those who are most essentially concerned with the ongoing commercial, professional and
civic life of the community." The organizing committee, with Henry E. McWANE as
acting president, secured the charter for the club, and set about to finance the renovation
of the leased property, through the issuance of bonds.
The James River Club included four dining areas, a bar and cocktail lounge, card
rooms, and a television room. Membership was open to men only. Wives of members
had guest privileges and were given the privileges of the "Mixed Dining Room," and
were not permitted in the card rooms. All ladies were to "have male escort after 5:00
p.m., at which time, the Bar will be open to ladies."
The James River Club, "an exclusive downtown businessmen's meeting place for
nearly 13 years," closed on 15 February 1973.
[James River Club Papers, Mss., MS1119, Jones Memorial Library, Lynchburg, VA. Included in the
materials is a bond for the "Lynchburg City Club, Inc." with Henry E. McWane as president. This may
have been the original name of the James River Club.]

MS1119