About Our Club
At nearly 100 years old, our club was one the
first clubs to be chartered in Canada. We are rich
in history, yet we are also rich in diversity. Our
membership of over 140 proud Rotarians represents a
broad range of people, differing in their
professional and personal experiences, yet bonded by
our commitment to community service.
After a long and wonderful home with the Royal
Connaught Hotel (over 90 years), we recently moved
to the Art Gallery of Hamilton. The Art Gallery
makes our meetings very warm and the beauty of the
gallery reflects the beauty of the community
spirit that resonates through our club.
Join Us for Lunch
If you are a Rotarian and you plan to be in Hamilton
or if you are a local Rotarian looking to do a
make-up, please come to our meetings - you are
always welcome.
If you are not in a Rotary Club but would like more
information, please contact us and we will
be glad to
help you.
Brief History of Our Club
The Rotary Club of Hamilton’s first meeting was held
in the Private Dining Room at Fong Young's Cafe 26
King William Street Hamilton on Thursday June 26th,
1913 at 1.10 p.m. in the afternoon. The Hamilton
Club became the 3rd Rotary Club in Canada and the
82nd Club chartered by Rotary International.
At the end of its first year there were 29 members
and for almost three years the Club did not have a
permanent luncheon location. During that period
meetings (which appeared to be held on the 1st and
3rd Thursdays of each month) were held in a variety
of locations, including the Conservatory of Music,
the Y.M.C.A., the Wentworth Arms Hotel, Robinson's
Tea Room, Fong Young's Restaurant, the Royal Hotel
and the Tudor Inn. Both the Royal Hotel and the
Wentworth Arms subsequently burnt down and Robinsons
and Youngs passed into limbo. The Connaught did not
exist at that time but a hotel known as the "Old
Waldorf” operated at that site.
World War I erupted and caused many disruptions not
the least of which was food rationing which at times
resulted in meager lunches. The Club found many
activities related to the War that needed the many
talents of the members and responded
whole-heartedly.
In 1916 The Royal Connaught Hotel was erected and
the Club held its first meeting at that location in
June, 1916. At the outset the main Hotel dining room
was located on the main floor where a restaurant now
occupies the space. Many of the Club meetings were
held there even after the 'new' wing was constructed
in 1931 and the Ballroom became available. By June
of 1918, close to the end of WW I, the Hotel was
charging 90 cents per lunch.
The Club met at the Royal Connaught Hotel as a
permanent location for most of its regular luncheon
meetings until November 4, 2004, when the Connaught
went into receivership. Club members showed up for a
joint meeting with the Canadian Club for a
Remembrance Day luncheon and were informed that the
doors to the hotel would be locked later that same
day.
After reviewing a number of excellent options for a
new permanent location, in 2005 the club chose the
Art Gallery of Hamilton for its new home.