11 Most Exclusive Private Clubs in America

1. The Union Club

Location: New York

Founded in: 1836

One of the oldest private clubs in the United States, the Union Club changed several locations before finally settling on its current one. All of them were on Fifth Avenue, although it is unknown whether this is by design or by coincidence. Although the club changed buildings, its strong conservative values remained unwavering throughout its history. One of the most controversial decisions in the club’s history is the one refusing to expel Confederate members after the beginning of the Civil War. This led to a strife among the membership and some of them went on to form other clubs, like Knickerbocker Club. The Union Club managed to recover from this setback and is currently considered the most exclusive private club in America. Notable members include Winston Churchill, Ulysses S. Grant, William Randolph Hearst, Winthrop Rockefeller, Philip H. Sheridan, William Tecumseh Sherman, Cornelius Vanderbilt and many others.