The original location of Chemists’ Club at 52 East 41st Street in Manhattan was designated a New York Section Historic Chemical Landmark in a ceremony held in conjunction with the Club’s annual Egg Nog Party, on December 12, 2006. The event was attended by more than 150 friends of the Chemists’ Club and the ACS New York section, and featured after dinner speaker Bill Nye “The Science Guy.” Dr. John Sharkey, Chair of the History Committee and Dr. Arnold Thackray, President of the Chemical Heritage Foundation addressed how, for more than a century, the Chemists’Club has served as an important gathering place and research center for New York area chemists. Dr. Jill Rehmann, 2006 Chair of the New York Section presented a plaque to Chemists Club President Joel W. Jones to commemorate the designation. This is the first such designation by a local section for a Historic Chemical Landmark and may serve as a model to inspire other local sections to designate sites of historic chemical interest, which might not meet the criteria for a national designation.

It is appropriate that the New York Section honor The Chemists’ Club, since both organizations were closely aligned in their formative years. The club’s charter granted in 1898, stated that its objectives were “to promote the interests of chemists and those interested in the science and applications of chemistry, and to this end to provide a place in which members may come together for social intercourse and meetings, to equip the same with books and periodicals relating to the science of chemistry and to general literature.” For more than a century the Club has met these objectives in different ways, reflecting the changes occurring within its membership, the chemical profession, American society, and world events. For many years the NY Section meetings were held in the Chemists’ Club building and its library was a storehouse of information critically needed during World War I and even World War II. The New York Section and the Committee on the History of the New York Section takes great pride in co-sponsoring this historic event with The Chemists’ Club.

Detailed Report and Photos: