The seeds of the Chemical Club were planted in the post World War I era. The growth and turmoil in the industry prompted an organizational meeting at the Old City Club on S. Broad St. in 1920, attended by a dozen interested men. This led to the formulation of the Chemical Club of Philadelphia “for the purpose of better friendship and fellowship among the individuals and firms engaged in the chemical business in Philadelphia.” In the original year membership consisted of 23 firms comprising about 40 individuals, paying $5.00 annual dues.
The original format was monthly meetings with a speaker on industry affairs or topics of the day. Later, dinner meetings replaced luncheon, and in the season were preceded by golf outings.
Although the club was social in nature; as early as 1923 a greater responsibility for promoting scholarship in the industry was recognized, and a special course of “Chemistry for Salesmen” was sponsored by the Club. This was a series of ten lectures given at the Univ. of Penna. School of Chemical Engineering. About fifty people attended. Following upon this, the first scholarship program was instituted in 1932, with a $50.00 yearly grant for a student at Drexel University.
These early beginnings came to full fruition with the undertaking of our current scholarship fund. This began in 1970 with an initial individual grant of $500.00. Our 50/50 fund began in 1975 and enabled our club to greatly expand its contributions. Currently we give six grants of $2000.00 apiece to students at the six major local universities.
In February 1954, the first “Ladies Night” was held at Manufacturers C.C. in Oreland, PA with 274 attendees. This affair remained in various country club setting until March 1960, which began 16 years of fully subscribed Spring Dances at the Cherry Hill Inn. This is still the Chemical Club’s premier affair, held now in downtown hotel settings in Philadelphia.
The record of the club’s activities is contained in the Roster Book, published each year. In the early years, this was merely a list of names, but beginning in 1954 evolved into its present form, listing all the activities and a pictorial record of past presidents upon its cover. It has been a tradition of the Club for over forty years to recognize these past presidents at a golf outing each year.
The Chemical Club, as all vital and prosperous organizations, has been attuned to the changes in the modern world. In 1975, the restriction to “male” members was eliminated from the constitution. In that year out first two women members were accepted; Joyce Redelsperger, and Ann Marie Horner. In 1985, Cathy Burk became our first woman officer, and was elected as President in 1989.
In 1967, we participated for the first time in a joint luncheon with the National Association of Purchasing Agents’ Chemical Buyers Group at their convention in the Warwick Hotel. Subsequently, when this group has convened in Philadelphia, we have joined them in this meaningful and instructional activity.
Another major historical activity of the Club has been the Annual Holiday party. At our best information, this began in December 1949. It was moved to Palumbo’s until 1962. From 1963 to 1968, this affair was held at various New Jersey locations. In 1969, we returned, and our tradition of this party at Palumbo’s then continued until the fire of 1994 closed out this era.
Today, the Club has expanded to a base membership of 184 members representing 139 companies with annual dues of $100 per year.