It was John M. Brown the first superintendent of the Philadelphia Branch Post Office who decided to convert the casual association of African American men into something more definite and permanent in the month of April 1926, the Ye Olde Philadelphia Club was formed.
During the next three years following the Great Depression of 1929 the club began to expand and progress. The first formal dance was held in 1927 at the old Labor Union Hall, 19th and Addison Streets. It has now become the traditional Ye Olde Philadelphia Club Formal Spring Dance, where the club continues to maintain its high standard.
The founders developed other activities for members and their families. A special affair for the wives took place beginning in the spring of 1931 at the Postal Hall, 39th and Brown streets. This had given way to the annual Christmas Party for wives and guests at Palumbo’s, 8th and Catherine streets. Annual summer picnics were also started for the children along with summer activities that included cruises and trips to the Caribbean Islands, Hawaii and more. Henry Jones was the Club President that introduced the idea of the “Father and Son” meeting, from which several sons became members. The spring event continues today.
At one time there was even the idea of buying a clubhouse. Funds from the Annual Theater party that was held in the fall, were to be used to buy a house, but due to the changing times, a suitable location and other reasons, that dream was never realized.
Under the administration of Allen West, the club was incorporated in 1957. Mrs. Doris Harris, an attorney and wife of Walter Harris one of our members, completed the necessary legal matters. We now had our chartered duly recorded in the Office of the Prothonotary, with names of the entire membership, and became known as the “Ye Olde Philadelphia Club”.
And we continue to have initiatives that move the club forward. Under the leadership of Andrew Stevens, the idea of having guest speakers at meetings was introduced. It has continued and many outstanding citizens have graced the meetings.
Past activities of the Ye Olde Philadelphia Club included annual donations to charity and civil rights organizations such as the YMCA, the Urban League, and the NAACP. The Club also sponsored a Scholarship Fund for worthy students.
And through the years award plaques have been given to such outstanding citizens of Philadelphia such as Leon Sullivan, A. Leon Higginbotham, Robert Poindexter, Ruth Hayre, Zackary Clayton, Melvin Floyd, Jesse Anderson, Novella Williams, E. Stephen Collins, the Honorable Councilwoman, Marion Tasco, the Honorable Councilman and now US Congressman, Dwight Evans, the Reverend Dr. Alyn E. Waller and others.
The achievements of the Ye Olde Philadelphia Club are the results of the combined efforts of each individual. Accolades must be given specifically to the various chairman of the Club’s Entertainment committee. Each of these men were pivotal in the development and public awareness of the Club.
Our existence is a tribute to the founders and charter members who had a long term vision to bring our brothers together. Our anniversaries are essential as it celebrates our growth and the forces of tradition that played a valid role in our organization’s continuity and development.
Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success. In less than two years, 2026, the current and future members will open the doors to another landmark, our centennial.