ABOUT THE EXPLORERS CLUB

HISTORY

Early Goals and Ideals

In 1904 Henry Collins Walsh invited a group of prominent men to meet for the purpose of organizing a club "to encourage explorers in their work by evincing interest and sympathy, and especially by bringing them in personal contact and binding them in the bonds of good fellowship." The first official meeting was held in rented rooms at 23 West 67th Street in New York City on October 25, 1905. Major General A.W. Greely was the first President and Henry Collins Walsh the first Secretary. A stated purpose of the Club was to "promote exploration by all possible means."

The Founders

The Explorers Club was officially established on October 17, 1905 when the papers of incorporation were signed. The signers/founders were a diverse group bound together by their interest in exploration, and this continues to be the principal interest of today's membership as well. The seven signers were:
  • David L. Brainard, Army officer and Arctic explorer, who later became the Club's fourth president.
  • Frank Michler Chapman, curator of birds and mammals, American Museum of Natural History.
  • Dr. Frederick A. Cook, physician, ethnologist, and Arctic explorer.
  • Herschel C. Parker, professor of physics, mountaineer, and author.
  • Marshall Howard Saville, archaeologist; expeditions in the U.S., Mexico, and Central America.
  • Henry Collins Walsh, author and war correspondent.
  • Casper Whitney, war correspondent and hunter; explorations in North and South America, from Venezuela to Patagonia.

    • Growth and Membership

    In 1912 the Club moved to an empty loft at 345 Amsterdam Avenue, its first home. Here space was available to start gathering books, trophies, furniture, and all the memorabilia that today give our headquarters its unique personality. The Club invited returning explorers and visiting men of science to address the group informally. this became the basis of the program of educational lecture meetings that today remain a vital part of the Club's life. In 1913 the Club absorbed the membership of the Arctic Club which had backed Peary on his North Pole expeditions. After World War I the Club continued to grow, purchasing a house at 47 West 76th Street and occupying its new quarters in January of 1922. In 1928 an eight-story building was erected for and leased by the Club at 544 Cathedral Parkway. In 1932 the Club moved again, leasing quarters at 10 West 72nd Street, where it remained until 1965.

    Accomplishments

    1905 through 1950's

    During this period the Club served as a meeting ground for virtually all the important Twentieth-Century explorers in North America. Their legendary exploits are our heritage.

    1960 through 1980

    During these two decades in particular, The Explorers Club experienced significant expansion and development. Its membership broadened world wind and continued to attract the well known expedition leaders and field scientists of the day. In addition, its scope began to expand to become a more active organization in support of educational and scientific activities. A national network of Chapters was established, active grant programs initiated and permanent residence taken up in its present quarters.

    THE EXPLORERS CLUB TODAY

    Headquarters

    In 1965 the Club purchased a six-story Tudor-style town house from the Stephen Clark family. Designed by the distinguished British architect S.J. Sterner, and constructed in 1910, our "Lowell Thomas Building," with its extensive library and collections of artifacts and memorabilia, now provides a physical symbol of Club spirit and accomplishment.

    It is a gathering place for members, and the headquarters for the administration of all our programs. Its lecture hall, meeting rooms, and lounges are available to all members for personal, corporate, and scientific functions.

    Individuals living within a fifty-mile radius of the Club's building constitute the group known as Resident Members and focus their activities in New York. non-Resident members also are always welcome at headquarters, as well as at their local Chapters.

    Regional Chapters of The Explorers Club provide focal points for our far-flung membership and serve as a meeting ground for scientists and explorers in each locale. In addition to their monthly dinners, lectures, and seminars, several chapters award grants to students, publish newsletters, and organize other activities.

    Club Chapters

  • Alaska/Yukon
  • Atlanta
  • Central Florida
  • Great Lakes
  • Greater Piedmont
  • Jupiter Florida
  • New England
  • Northern California
  • Ohio-Miami Valley George Rogers Clark
  • Pacific Northwest
  • Philadelphia
  • Russian
  • Rocky Mountain
  • San Diego
  • Southern California
  • Southern Florida
  • Southwest
  • Southwest Florida
  • St. Louis - Mississippi Valley
  • Texas
  • Washington, D.C. Group
  • Australia (informal)
  • Canada
  • Great Britain
  • India
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Western Europe

    • Organization

    Although the Club maintains a paid staff, The Explorers Club is organized and operated by hard-working officers, directors, committee and chapter chairpersons, and other members, all on a volunteer basis.

    Standing Committees

  • Annual Dinner
  • Archives
  • Chapter Relations
  • Conservation-Environment
  • Corporate Relations
  • Events
  • Expeditions
  • Exploration Fund
  • Film, TV, Books
  • Finance Advisory Board
  • Flag and Honors
  • Grants and Fellowships
  • Hospitality
  • House
  • Legal
  • Lectures
  • Library
  • Management
  • Member Services
  • Membership
  • Nominating
  • Ocean Advisory
  • Publications
  • Radio
  • Science Advisory Board
  • Space Advisory Council
  • United Nations Representative
  • Youth Activity Fund

    • Financial Aspects

    The Explorers Club is a non-profit organization as defined under Section 170(b) (I) (A) (vi) of the Internal Revenue Code. A large part of our Club programs are supported by contributions; members' dues account for only about 45 percent of our total budget. Gifts are vital to our operations and are deductible within legal limits for Federal tax purposes. Members are encouraged to maintain perpetual support of the Club programs through bequests for general purposes, or to one of our restricted endowment funds.

    GENERAL PROGRAMS

    The Explorers Club Flag

    The Explorers Club Flag represents an impressive history of courage and accomplishment and has been carried by many famous members on their expeditions; to carry it is an honor and a privilege. It has flown at both poles, from the highest mountain peaks, and in the most remote jungles and deserts; it has traveled to the depths of the ocean and to outer space.

    One of the great traditions of the Club, the Flag is awarded on loan as a sign of confidence in an individual Club member who is taking an active part in a non-commercial expedition. Each Flag is numbered and develops a history as it goes out with various members on successive expeditions over the years. All Flags are carefully preserved together with their records. The Flag and Honors Committee evaluates applications to carry the Flag and submits its recommendations monthly to the Board of Directors for approval

    Major Projects

    To provide support for members planning extensive expeditions and field-research projects, the Club has developed specific procedures under which it can act as an "endorsing" or "sponsoring" institution for a limited number of expeditions each year. Selection follows a rigorous investigation by the Expeditions Committee and must be approved by the Board of Directors.

    Annual Dinner

    Each year the Club holds its famous Annual Dinner, usually at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Traditionally, prominent scientists and expedition leaders from around the world come to report on the latest outstanding events in exploration. With a history originating in the early years of the "Arctic Club," we have been having these dinners since 1885.

    Honors

    The major honors bestowed by The Explorers Club reflect the history of 20th-century exploration in the names of the recipients.

    The Explorers Medal

    The highest honor that can be bestowed by the Club is awarded for extraordinary contributions in the field of exploration, scientific research, or the welfare of humanity. A few of its recipients include Adm. Peary, Stefansson, Adm. Byrd, Lord Hunt, Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition, Lowell Thomas, Thor Heyerdahl, NASA (Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins), the Trans-Globe Expedition, and the Leakey Family.

    Honorary Membership

    Honorary membership is awarded to individuals who have rendered distinguished services in the field of exploration. Their ranks are limited to 20 living individuals. Recent additions include Robert Crippen, John Young, Sally Ride, Paul MacCready, Irving Johnson, George Schaller, and General "Chuck" Yeager.

    Other Honors

    The Edward S. Sweeney Medal and the Citation of Merit are awarded specifically for service to the Club. Special honors such as the Lowell Thomas Awards and Special Recognition Certificates are given from time to time.

    PUBLIC-SERVICE PROGRAM

    The Explorers Club is extremely active in this field. The Club makes grants in support of the field work to high school, college, and graduate students as well as to qualified independent researchers engaged in field research. In addition, the Club maintains Library and Archival services and offers regular Public Lectures. From time to time, the Club also sponsors scientific and/or educational exhibits, seminars, symposia, and other activities of this nature. The results of research under its Major Projects also are available to the public in various presentations, reports, and publications.

    Grants

    Grant Programs of four different types are supported by The Explorers Club as a Public Service. One need not be a member to apply.

    Special Grants

    These are made for a few selected purposes each year, usually with proceeds of a specific Fund-Raising Event held at Club Headquarters or by a Chapter.

    Expedition and Research Grants

    These grants stem from donations that are made in support of specific Major Projects that receive the designations of "sponsorship" by the Club. All of this funding stems from restricted contributions from corporations, foundations, or individuals, outside of the regular Club operating budget.

    Youth Activities Fund Grants

    The Youth Activities Fund was established to help foster a new generation of explorers and to build a reservoir of young men and women dedicated to the advancement of knowledge of the world by probing the unknown. Grants are made to individual high-school students and college undergraduates to participate in field research in the natural sciences under the supervision of a qualified scientist. Although there is no specified limit, grants will usually be made in the range of several hundred to one thousand dollars. Grants may be obtained to cover investigations anywhere in the world. most of the awards will be for support of field work, including transportation, subsistence, and expendable supplies and equipment. Grantees are expected to submit a project report and a statement of expenses at the end of the project period. the report may be waived if results are to be published within one year. Publications based on work supported in whole or in part by The Explorers Club should credit The Explorers Club Youth Activity Fund. Three copies of the publication should be submitted to the Club. Applications must be received on the standard forms by December 15 for Spring projects and by February 15 for Summer projects. Awards will be announced approximately two months after each deadline. Applicants must supply an explanation of the proposed project in their own words and an itemized budget for their participation in the project. Applicants must identify other sources from which funds have been requested or received. Applicants are required to submit two letters of recommendation that must accompany application. Address requests for application forms and all correspondence relating to the grants to the New York office.

    These grants are awarded to students in high school and to college undergraduates for field work in an area of potential career interest. The program is administered by the Education Committee, and is supported by income from the trust fund established by Lowell Thomas and DeWitt Wallice.

    Exploration Fund Grants

    These grants are made in support of field research and usually are given to graduate students to aid field work leading to their advanced degree, although senior scientists and others with special needs also may be supported. The program is supported by income from the Exploration Grants Trust.

    Reports

    Every grant recipient is required to submit a report. These are available to interested researchers, corporate sponsors, and qualified individuals, as an information service of the Club.

    Exploration Lecture Series

    This lecture series, held twice monthly during the season, is open to the public, as an educational services at the Headquarters in New York. Special events and exhibits open to the public also are held periodically.

    The Library and Archives

    The Library, Archives, and Map Room are maintained as a resource for scientific research and are supported by the Club's general funds as well as income from the Library Endowment Fund established in 1982. The collections include some 25,000 catalogued volumes on exploration and related science and over 5,000 maps and charts.

    The unique Archives of the Club include log books, diaries, correspondence, photographs, and artifacts from the collections of many famous explorers. A wide variety of items are on display.

    PUBLICATIONS

    The Explorers Journal

    Our Journal, published quarterly as a public service, contains articles, editorials, and book reviews on a wide spectrum of expeditionary work. It is now a major permanent record of many important field projects. Although semi-popular in format, the Journal provides a valid avenue of publication. It is indexed in many libraries; the same indices that catalog articles in Science and other scholarly journals also catalogue our Journal contents. All members receive the journal which also goes to libraries and other academic institutions around the world.

    The Explorers Newsletter

    Specifically for members, this quarterly publication is a clearing house of information on Club activities covering expeditions, research, membership, and Chapter news, as well as news sent by our individual members.

    Chapter Newsletters

    Many of the Chapters put out local newsletters from time to time. The newsletter for the Northern California Chapter comes out prior to each meeting: generally in September, October, November, January, February, March , April, May, and June.

    Internet

    The Explorers Club World Headquarters is on the World Wide Web. Karen Brush, Ph.D. is the Chief Arachnid. This is the site for the entire organization and it contains information about the Club's library, the travel program, and much more.
    The Northern California Chapter is on the Web. Michael F. Diggles is the Webmaster. In this location, the Chapter maintains some general information about The Explorers Club, details about the Northern California Chapter, and digital versions of Chapter newsletters. Both current and past newsletters are included.

    MEMBERSHIP

    Current membership in The Explorers Club is approximately 3,000 men and women. Although most reside in North America, over 500 individuals are distributed throughout almost every part of the world.

    Regular Membership

    Membership is limited to those who have contributed to the cause of exploration and is divided into two main categories: "Fellow" and "Member." Among the attributes of exploration recognized by The Explorers Club is Resource Conservation. Admission and the category of membership is determined by the Membership Committee and the Board of Directors. Selection is based on an evaluation of the Candidate's qualifications and experience as outlined on the application form, sponsoring letters, and appended material. The "Fellow" class consists of those who have actively participated in, or substantially contributed by research to field exploration of recognized scientific purposes and as a result of such activities have published papers, articles, books, reports, or other scientific data of permanent value under the their name or have had their results accepted by accredited scientific institutions. The "Member" class consists of those who have contributed in broad terms to the cause of exploration; who evidence a sustained interest in some field of scientific exploration, and the furtherance of scientific knowledge of the world.

    Student Membership.

    Student membership is a special category which does not carry voting rights. It is open to persons who are enrolled full-time at an accredited school. Student members must submit a complete application for regular membership.

    Corporate Membership

    Corporations may become members to aid in furthering Public Service programs of The Explorers Club, and in expanding horizons of knowledge, while helping to build a reservoir of scientific manpower with experience in field research. Corporate representatives may also utilize our facilities and participate fully in Club activities.

    Services to Members.

  • Aid to members in planning expeditions and field research, through a worldwide network of personal contacts.
  • Award of The Explorers Club Flag to individual members.
  • Assistance to selected members' expeditions under the Major Projects Program.
  • Explorers Journal, Newsletter, and Chapter publications.
  • Annual Dinner.
  • Member programs: monthly dinners and programs in New York and at many Chapter sites; Exploration Lecture Series; special events.
  • Use of Members Lounge as well as lecture hall, meeting, and reading and map rooms.
  • Library (25,000 items on exploration and related sciences), Hillary Map Room (5,000 items), and historical archives.
  • Special arrangements for press conferences and private cocktail, dinner, and other parties with audio-visual facilities.
  • Display facilities for members' recent publications, photographs, and other work.
  • Club emblems, clothing, and other items available for purchase.
  • Discounts from equipment suppliers and various travel operators available from time to time.
  • Affiliations. While not formally affiliated with other groups, the Club has members in common with numerous other organizations making membership a virtual passport to many countries around the world.

    • LONG-TERM GOALS

    The continuing goals of The Explorers Club today are not very different from those of its founders who set it on its path nearly ninety years ago, even though today the Club has welcomed women into its ranks and acknowledged accomplishments in space and underwater exploration which might have seemed imaginative in 1905! In the 1990s as in 1905, the Club remains a common bond for explorers the world over; it seeks to encourage scientific exploration and field research through the widest range of disciplines, to encourage the efforts of youthful explorers, to maintain an important body of books, charts, maps, and other reference materials concerning exploration, and to conduct research and educational activities in the public interest