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Architect Richard Upjohn (Trinity Church, New York City) designed The Fay Club in 1863. The Fay Club was commissioned as a private residence by George Flagg Fay for himself and his daughter, Lucy. Mr. Fay was the treasurer of the Crocker-Burbank Paper Company and a founding member of the Park Club — established in 1881 and housed in a building at Main Street and Wallace Avenue. When Mr. Fay died in 1885, Lucy inherited his estate as his only living relative. Lucy donated the mansion to the Park Club on October 23, 1910 when she decided to move west. "In making this offer I feel that I am carrying out my father's wishes and personally I should be very happy to know the Club of which my father was a charter member, is using the old house to shed its spirit of hospitality." In honor of Lucy’s generous gift, the Park Club changed its name to The Fay Club in 1910 and moved into the current building. In 1945 the Board of Directors voted to allow women into membership. The Club was added to the National Historic Register in 1978. In the 1980s the directors raised money to restore the interior of the building to its original condition. |
