Richmond Hill Survivor (Just Barely): The Republican Club

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    In a city and borough that either allows its history to rot (Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Civic Virtue statue in Kew Gardens, now Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery) or allows rapacious developers to destroy all semblance of community (Astoria Village, Flushing) the condition of Richmond Hill’s Republican Club, where, despite its name, presidents of both parties have appeared, is especially appalling.

    The landmarked Republican Club building, on Lefferts Boulevard between Hillside and Jamaica avenues, pretty much looks the same on the exterior as it did in 1908, when architect Henry Haugaard built the Colonial Revival style building. That’s the problem with this historic structure — it looks as if it hasn’t been touched in decades. The windows are boarded up; those which are still there are broken, and the paint is peeling away on the façade.

    The building has an illustrious history, though. The interior originally boasted oak pews, doors and paneling, a bowling alley-come-archery range. The Richmond Hill Historical Society preserved the signed photographs of Calvin Coolidge, Warren Harding and Theodore Roosevelt that were found inside. During World War One the Club became a canteen and a place for rest and relaxation for US armed forces.

    The club remained an important gathering place for the Republican Party throughout the 20th century well into the 1980s. Presidents Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford have all given speeches here, and Ronald Reagan appeared here during primary season in 1976 and during the 1980 campaign. Hopefully this historic building can be rehabilitated and its proud history once again can be available for Richmond Hillers and New Yorkers to enjoy.

    Kevin Walsh’s website is Forgotten New York. His book, with the same name, is also available.

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