122 Years of Fellowship
The Winter Night Club began in the late 1800s as two dinner clubs, the Mahogany Club and the Red Mahogany Club. Meetings were held in members’ homes, with members rotating the responsibility to lead a discussion following the meal. Both of the original clubs dissolved after a few years.
Former Red Mahogany members met with other members of the community on November 5, 1902 and created a larger group. Six days after the final organizational meeting, invitations were mailed to 100 prominent men in the community. The first regular meeting was on December 10, 1902. The group met no fewer than five times during the winter for a dinner followed by select speakers.
Originally, members provided the programs. Edward P. Morgan of Denver was the first outside speaker, entertaining the group with a talk on Colorado’s early history. Members included:
- General William J. Palmer, the city founder, and his associates,
- William S. Jackson,
- Spencer Penrose,
- C.L. Tutt,
- E. W. Gidding,
- Jimmie Burns,
- and Eugene Shove.
A colorful group of gentlemen known as the Cripple Creekers rounded out the membership.
In 1916, the Colorado Springs Telegraph reported that The Winter Night Club, because of its efforts in bringing prominent men as speakers to discuss current topics of the day, was largely responsible for the intellectual development of the community.
Because of the growth of the Club during the 1950’s, the Broadmoor became the permanent meeting site. Members ate beneath the crystal chandeliers in the Grand Ballroom. Continuing growth caused another move into the Main Dining Room. In 1961, 800 members and guests gathered in the newly built International Center to hear internationally known commentator Drew Pearson.
Nationally & Internationally Renowned Speakers
The Winter Night Club consistently makes news with impressive programs featuring speakers such as
- Chuck Yeager, the first human to break the sound barrier;
- Arnold Palmer, legendary golfer;
- Andy Card, White House Chief of Staff;
- Stephen Moore, Writer;
- Lowell Thomas, international news commentator from Victor, Colorado;
- Charles Osgood, poet and newscaster;
- Beverly Sills, opera singer;
- Colin Powell, military general;
- Marilyn VanDeBeur, a former Miss America;
- George Plimpton, author
- Dick Rutan, aviator;
- Harry Harris, US Ambassador to South Korea, and
- David Bernhardt, US Interior Secretary.
In 2004, many prominent women in the Colorado Springs area joined the Club.
In keeping with the original vision, the Winter Night Club continues to support the intellectual development of our community with impressive programs and with the opportunity to network with other community leaders. We welcome your membership interest and attendance.
