It was established in 1873 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania as the Malt Club.[3] It rapidly became "the center of all social activity" in the Wyoming Valley.[4] The club moved to South Main Street in 1879 and stayed there until 1889. In 1889 they changed the name to "Westmoreland".[2][5][6]
The club was incorporated on February 9, 1899. They rented the Hunt House near St. Stephen's Church and had it modified to accommodate the club. A fire destroyed St. Stephen's Church and the clubhouse in 1896. In 1897 the club purchased the Hunt lot and built a three-story clubhouse on it.[5]
In 1922 the Westmoreland Club purchased the former residence Dr. Levi P. Shoemaker to accommodate the increased membership.[7][2] In 1990 the club admitted Kingston, Pennsylvania attorney Enid Harris to be the first woman voting member.[8] Her own father, attorney James Harris (1926-2011), then a member of the club's board opposed her membership.[5] In 1997 a two-story addition was completed. It produced a new entrance, added an elevator and new second floor dining room.[5] In 2002 the second-floor dining room changed their dress code from formal attire to business casual.[3] In 2009 the club received platinum status from Platinum Clubs of America.[5][9] In 2013 the first-floor dining room changed their dress code from formal attire to business casual.[3] In 2017, the Club was named one of The Platinum Clubs of the World by Club Leaders Forum.[10] This designation is bestowed upon 100 Golf & Country Clubs and 100 City Clubs, and is a true representation of the finest private clubs in the world, with 34 countries represented.
