By Nike Whitcomb
NOTE: quoted paragraphs are from Henry Regnery’s book, The Cliff Dwellers
Human beings need to connect with one another.
For many of us, having a group of friends to have dinner with; or attend the theater, opera, or symphony; or to share our favorite books, visit museums, or otherwise travel, is critical to our sense of self-worth and satisfaction.
The Cliff Dwellers Club, founded in 1907, helps its members fulfill many of those human desires: Its charter calls for “a congenial place for artists and writers, a rallying point for the Midland arts.”
Henry Regnery, in his book about the Cliff Dwellers said, “ When the euphoria of the 1893 World’s Fair abated and many of the artists left Chicago, patrons of the arts became members of the club. Post-Fair Chicago remained a huge muddy marketplace, but as the marketplace eventually changed so have the arts. Today the arts are part of that market. The patrons have changed too. While individuals still pledge large gifts to the cultural institutions, the role of private foundations and public endowments has grown. The Cliff Dwellers provide a forum where givers and users of grants meet.”
That ‘Home for the Arts’ in Chicago has evolved into a 119- year-old club that today.” provides a wide variety of programs. Its mission is to “encourage, foster and develop higher standards of art, literature and craftsmanship; promote the mutual acquaintance of art lovers, art workers and authors; maintain in the City of Chicago a club house and to provide therein galleries, libraries and exhibition facilities for the various lines of art.”
Its founders and charter members were an outstanding group of men known to people around the world, including:
- American novelist and poet Hamlin Garland,
- Noted Sculptor Lorado Taft, Garland’s brother-in-law ;
- Architect Howard Van Doren Shaw,
- Educator and author William Morton Payne;
- Architect Frank Lloyd Wright;
- Architects Irving K. and Allen B. Pond;
- Landscape architect Jens Jensen
Although it began as a “men-only” club, as was typical at the time, it began welcoming female members in 1984, and, today has members of all ages, including non-resident members from many states and countries.
Early lmembers of the club: Top row, from left: C.W. Eggers, H. Shaw, G.Gemmerie. L. Grunelle,G. Hough, E.O. Grover, A. Polencek; Front Row from left: Wm. O. Goodman, Lorado Taft, Louis Sullivan
Long-time member Henry Regnery – who wrote The Cliff Dwellers: The History of a Chicago Cultural Institution (often quoted in this story) states (published in 1990),, “As the realm of the arts has expanded to include the television and radio industries, these new arts are represented in our membership by television personalities, a motion picture producer and a laser light sculptor. The traditional arts remain heavily represented by writers, musicians, painters, and architects. The subtle changes in membership reflect society’s changes with a Chicago accent.”
The original home of The Cliff Dwellers was on the 8th floor of Orchestra Hall. You might think that this was just a group of stodgy old men, but you would be wrong. The Cliff Dwellers was (and still is) a place that fosters innovative ideas in every area of the arts. Programs featuring noted architects, artists, writers, musicians, have kept discussions lively and stimulating throughout more than a century.
Frederick Stock
An example: Dr. Frederick Stock was a member of the club from its founding until his death in 1942. Stock was not one of those jet-propelled modern conductors. He lived in the City, conducted the Chicago Symphony Orchestra(with the help of an assistant), from the beginning of the season to the end. He also founded and himself conducted the training orchestra of the Symphony, the Civic Orchestra.
An active and much beloved member of the Cliff Dwellers, Dr Stock was president in 1927— 1928. At the Gay 90’s ball on February 26. 1928 “Freddie Stock’s Silver Cornet Band” provided Sousa marches, waltzes and two-steps.
“As Dr. Stock grew in artistic stature through these years, making musical
history as conductor and composer and rising to national and international
eminence in his art. His great natural talent for friendship developed no less. The world knew him on the podium and admired him. Chicago came to regard him as perhaps its First Citizen. Cliff Dwellers knew him also at the luncheon table, In the informal comradeship of the lounge, in the give-and take conversation—and we loved him as a friend.”
A CHANGE IS MADE
In 1996, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra ended the club’s lease so it could add its own dining and special event space.
The Cliff Dwellers moved just north, to the 22nd floor (penthouse) of 200 S. Michigan Avenue (at Adams), where it remains to this day.
The new location has provided many bonuses, including a spectacular terrace overlooking Michigan Avenue, Millennium Park, Monroe Harbor, Grant Park and the Museum Campus. The club was lucky to find this particular space (which had formerly been the executive dining room and entertainment space for the international firm Borg Warner. The space has a dining room overlooking the lake, an executive kitchen, an expansive terrace, bar, and welcoming seating area in front of a large fireplace and wood paneled chimney surround designed by architect Howard VanDoren Shaw that was salvaged from the previous location. Visitors are welcomed upon stepping off the elevator by a large Louis Sullivan designed mural salvaged from the Stock Exchange(pictured below).
The view from the Terrace
The Terrace
The dining room |
The Bar |
Members and guests enjoying the terrace.
Growing Outreach
“The Cliff Dwellers Arts Foundation was established in 1958 by a group of members who felt that the club’s commitment to the support of the arts should take a more concrete form beyond conversation, lectures, and recitals. Incorporators were Jay Beidler Camp. Joseph R. Shapiro. and Joseph Av Matter. The founding directors, in addition to the above. included James V. Sallamt, B. Fred Wise, Daniel Catton Rich, and DeForest Sackett. Its purposes are to foster the fine arts, to sponsor public exhibitions and competitions, to provide scholarships, and to administer gifts of money, manuscripts, etc.
With its mission to support the arts, the Cliff Dwellers has an active Art / Sculpture committee which identifies artists whose work has strong appeal, and presents rotating exhibitions of sculptures, painting, photography and other multi-media works of art within the Club throughout the year.
The Artist- in-Residence Fellows Program (AIR), begun in 2000, has taken that concept several steps further:
Founded by members of the Cliff Dwellers as a way to facilitate artistic dialogue between younger artists and Club members. This program welcomes individuals nominated in one of the following categories of the arts to apply: architecture, film, comedy, criticism, curatorial, practice, dance, interior design, fashion, graphic arts, journalism, literature, music, painting, photography, poetry, puppetry, theater, sculpture and magic. During a 2-year residency period, AIR Fellows develop a program (either individually or in collaboration with other class fellows) to showcase their respective talents. They receive stipends of various sizes that allow them to enjoy the life of the Club and/or fund certain aspects of their select programs. Since 2017, nearly 50 talented younger artists have added new perspectives the Club with their innovative and creative work. And, in September of 2025, Cliff Dwellers will begin publicizing the availability of AIR Fellowship awards for the class of 2026/2027.
The annual NASCAR race generates a ‘full house’ at the Club
Today, Cliff Dweller members and their guests take advantage of the following offerings:
- Programs and Events, including speakers (such as recently published authors), music programs, timely lectures on museum exhibitions, architectural presentations, and other topics of interest to club members.
- Dining for lunch or dinner inside or outside on the beautiful terrace
- Special interest groups, like the Sketch Club, which meets monthly for fun and non-judgmental sketching sessions; the Theatre Club, which organizes outings to Chicagoland theatres with follow-up discussions, and the Poetry Society, which reads and discusses poetry in an informal setting, and more!
- The Members’s table offers the chance or lively dialogue and discussions on a wide range of subjects.
the Member’s Table
- Club gallery showings rotate every four to six weeks. The works most often are by a single artist who typically is introduced to members with a reception shortly after the exhibit is mounted.
- Reduced parking is available in several local garages, which allow up to 12-hour stays (whether or not you visit the Club)!
The Cliff Dwellers Club has a low initiation fees, and affordable monthly dues.(see the “Become a Member” button on the website)
- Event space rental Is available for members’ (or member sponsored) special events such as weddings, receptions or other events or meetings.
- The monthly jazz program featuring musicians from across the area, provided in conjunction with a buffet dinner and specialty drinks, is popular with members and their guests
- Access to Reciprocal clubs is available at over 30 clubs in other U.S. cities and countries such as the Cosmos Club, Washington, D.C. and the City University Club, London, England.
An example of our Featured Artists:
Ruth Aizuss Migdal, a first generation American, was born in a Jewish immigrant neighborhood on Chicago’s Westside where education and culture were highly valued. She took great advantage of all the cultural opportunities available there. Ruth became the sculpture curator for Cliff Dwellers in January 2013.
Photo of a Migdahl sculpture at the Club
Photographer and frequent exhibitor, Tom Rossiter, has graced the Club with showings of some of his outstanding landscapes and scenic views of Chicago and the world. As a photographer, a craftsman, a registered architect and a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, Tom’s images reflect his experience as a maker and a lover of history, nature, culture and architecture. Through his commissioned work, Rossiter tells powerful architectural stories through the eyes of the architects for awards, publication, and presentations.
 |
 |
Both photos courtesy of Tom Rossiter
Today’s Cliff Dwellers pulsates with artistic energy.
Exhibitions featuring both established and emerging sculptors showcase a variety of styles and materials. Evenings come alive with musical performances, ranging from classical chamber groups to jazz to Cabaret night. The artistic spirit extends beyond the club walls with organized outings to theatrical productions, followed by lively discussions that delve deeper into the themes and artistic choices.
The sketch club is made-up of members who have an artistic bent and to want to express themselves. It meets once a month and participants can choose pencils watercolors or other media to use to create their art. Representative samples of their work are hung in at Cliff Dwellers on an ongoing basis.
Other art exhibitions rotate every three months, with four shows each year. The Club does not curate the work, but facilitates its presentation so that all may enjoy.
The annual Open House Chicago, sponsored by the Chicago Architecture Center, has drawn morebthan 1,000 visitorsto the Cliff Dwellers over its two-day festival each of the last two years..
For those who prefer quieter pursuits, the Cliff Dwellers offers a haven for literary exploration. The book club delves into a diverse range of genres, sparking thoughtful discussions and introducing members to new literary voices. For the visually inclined, photography exhibits capture the world through different lenses, while the sketch club provides a space for members to hone their artistic skills in a supportive environment. Rounding out the offerings, the architectural and history lecture series provide intellectual feasts, delving into the stories behind the structures that shape our world and the events that colored the past. The Cliff Dwellers’ calendar ensures that there’s truly something for every artistic inclination.
In addition to a library of periodical magaziness and newspapers, the club features books by members and their friends which are available on loan on an ongoing basis.
The Cliff Dwellers Club, with its cozy membership of less than 300, from 14 states and several countries, fosters a unique environment where friendships flourish. Unlike larger organizations, where faces can blur and connections feel impersonal, the Cliff Dwellers provide a breeding ground for genuine connections. Here’s how this intimacy fosters friendships:
Frequent Encounters: Because the club is smaller, you’re more likely to bump into familiar faces on a regular basis. This constant interaction allows friendships to blossom organically through casual conversations and shared experiences at club events.
Shared Experiences: The Cliff Dwellers’ reputation for friendliness is reliant on our members’ common appreciation for the arts, and translates to events and activities that encourage interaction. Participating in these activities together creates shared memories and strengthens the bonds of friendship.
The Cliff Dwellers Club, by embracing its intimate size, cultivates an environment where friendships are not just a possibility, but a natural consequence of being a member.
The Club offers a three-month trial membership for a one-time fee of $250. During that time you can join us for all of our dining, and cultural events just like members with full priveleges. At the end of that time you can decide whether you’d like to apply for full-time membership! We also offer reduced member rates for members aged 40 and under. The monthly membership fee at the Cliff Dwellers is reasonable and it opens the door to an opportunity to mingle with people involved with and intersted in the arts and cultural world of Chicago and the Midwest.
For further information, please contact cliff-chicago.org.
