City Tavern Club to Close Aug. 31, Will Sell Historic Building
By • August 28, 2024 2 2381
A significant piece of American and Georgetown history can be yours at the right price — give or take $6.5 million.
The City Tavern building at 3206 M St. NW is on the real estate market. Its owner, the City Tavern Club, reopened the place during the administration of President John Kennedy and saved the building constructed during the administration of President George Washington.
A few days ago, the City Tavern Club, a private social club that provided dining and held receptions and events, told its members that its last day of operation would be Saturday, Aug. 31. The club has been struggling financially for several years.
The club told The Georgetowner on Aug. 28: “After exhausting all options and extensive deliberation, with a heavy heart the Board of Governors of The City Tavern Association has unanimously voted to cease operations of the City Tavern Club effective Saturday, August 31, 2024 at 11:59 pm ET. This was a difficult decision, reached only after years of cumulative consideration and the collective efforts of numerous previous governing boards as well as intensive activity over the past several months, all in pursuit of viable alternatives.”
The City Tavern Club added that it remains “a legal entity and has engaged Colliers International to list the property at 3206 M Street for sale.”
Dating from 1796, the City Tavern is the last remaining Federal-era tavern in Washington, D.C., one of the oldest buildings remaining in the District and is on the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places. Purchased and rescued from demolition in 1959 with private funding from a group of Washingtonians that included Marjorie James, Nancy Pyne, Paul Mellon, Mildred Bliss and Emerson Duncan among many others, it was extensively renovated and opened as a private social club in 1962.
On Aug. 27, the City Tavern Preservation Foundation issued the following statement on the matter.
“The City Tavern Preservation Foundation has accelerated its efforts to purchase the historic City Tavern property at 3206 M St. NW, following the recent announcement that the City Tavern Club is ceasing operations and placing the building on the public market. The Foundation’s mission is to preserve this historic site as a service to the nation.
“The City Tavern is the last federal-era tavern in DC and one of its oldest commercial buildings. The City Tavern Preservation Foundation, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was formed in 2000 to receive tax-deductible donations for the preservation of the building and holds educational events open to the public. In light of the recent sale announcement, the Foundation is now intensifying its efforts, asking individuals, businesses, and organizations to contribute to the objective of securing the necessary funds to purchase the property and transform it into a vibrant public space.
“ ‘Our vision for the City Tavern remains unchanged,’ stated C. Andrus Seferlis, Foundation President. ‘We aim to create a living museum and cultural hub that honors the past while serving as a place of learning and engagement for all. But to realize this vision, we need the support of everyone who values our nation’s history.’
“On Thursday, Aug. 29, the Foundation will host an interactive scholar’s talk titled ‘The Intolerable Acts of 1774,’ which has been long scheduled. Supporters, history enthusiasts, potential donors and the wider public are invited to attend this event to learn more about the fundraising effort and to hear the speakers. For additional information about the program and the City Tavern, please visit www.citytaverndc.org.”
I am only just hearing of the CityTavern Club closing tomorrow. What a sad thing, I have so many sentimental memories of being there with my family. Hopefully it won’t be such a great loss to Georgetown if we all contribute.
Perhaps the club has been too exclusive.