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only in one particular room in the clubhouse. Today, however, women are welcomed as guests and members. In 1985, Dale Lewis became the club’s first female member, Joynes said.

Duluthian and longtime club member Cheryl Meese shared a story about her first experience at the Kitch. Today Meese is a senior vice president and financial adviser at RBC Wealth Management in Duluth. But on that day 39 years ago, she was joined by her future boss, who, it turned out, was a strong advocate for gender equality. He also had a bold sense of humor.

“In 1980, I flew to Duluth for a job interview with Peter Sneve, the head of Paine Webber,” Meese said. “The interview went well, and Sneve invited me to join him for lunch at the Kitch. We were headed toward the side door, which was the door reserved for women, and Sneve said, ‘No, let’s go around to the front.’ In hindsight, the staff were a bit startled to see me come in through the front door.

“When we came in, the staff offered to seat us in a room off to the side, which was accommodating to women. Sneve said, ‘No thank you; we’ll sit in the Great Hall.’”

“After lunch, we walked out, again using the front door, and Sneve told me, ‘You just broke every rule in the book.’ He said that women just don’t do that; they go in through the side door, and they don’t eat in the Great Hall. He had a wicked wit and was willing to be challenged on a whole lot of things. He made a huge difference in this town.”

Between 1980 and 1992, several things changed at the Kitch. Women were welcomed to enter through the main door, dine anywhere in the clubhouse, and become members.

“I became a member in 1992,” Meese said. “And I am the main member in my family; my husband is the spouse on our account.”

Joynes, who was hired in February 2018, is the first woman to hold the general manager title. She has a background in the hospitality industry and has served on many local boards. “It’s an honor to be the first female general manager,” Joynes said. “It means the club has evolved to a higher level, and this is an opportunity to move it forward even more.”

A long history

The Kitch is housed in a highly recognizable landmark building and has featured generations of “movers and shakers” on its membership roster. As a private club, much of what happens there is held close to the vest, privy only to club members. There is a lot to explore regarding the history of the club, its purpose in the community, and its ongoing evolution.

According to its website, the Kitchi Gammi Club is the oldest incorporated club in Minnesota. It has been serving Duluth and the surrounding area since its formation on Oct. 1, 1883. Some of the families affiliated with the Kitch since its earliest days include the Hartleys, McGifferts and Congdons.

Its massive clubhouse, a Jacobean Revival-esque structure constructed of brick and stone, stands resolutely overlooking Lake Superior just east of the Fitger’s complex. Many tourists and residents alike no doubt have craned their necks while passing the Kitch, wondering if it was a private home, a hotel, or perhaps even a restaurant.

The club was originally housed on the fourth floor of Duluth’s Grand Opera House, its current location at 831 E. Superior St. was selected because of its convenient placement on Superior Street and an unobstructed view of the lake. Bertram Goodhue of the New York architectural firm Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson designed the clubhouse, which opened its doors to members in 1914. The building was listed on the National

Register of Historic Places in 1975.

The structure is uniquely recognizable due to its steeply pitched roofs, round, arched doorways and triangular gables rising over the roofline. It’s a natural choice for weddings; in the summertime, happy newlyweds and their parties can often be seen celebrating on the vast front patio. In 2018, 14 weddings were held at the Kitch; 14 more are planned in 2019.

“We have 20 rooms to be used for meetings, breakfasts, special events, parties, and weddings,” said events manager Sarah Hartley.

The club employs 40 people, including an executive chef, a marketing and membership manager, maintenance manager, guest services manager, housekeeping manager, as well as servers, bartenders, line cooks, dishwashers, housekeepers and associates.

“We offer a very high level of service,” Hartley said. “Our servers and bartenders are trained in the traditional classic service style, where they use table crumbers and finger bowls. We use fine table linens and dishware, and decorate for all special events. We even serve a Chateaubriand that is flamed and carved table-side.”

Hartley’s own connection to the Kitch has deep, familial roots beyond that of simply being an employee. She is married to Eric Hartley, who is the great-great-grandson of one of the original founders of the club.

Today, the club has about 400 members and hosts plenty of familyfriendly events for its members, including a viewing party for the Christmas City of the North Parade. Contrary to popular belief, today’s dress code at the Kitch is considered “business casual.” For men, a coat and tie are required only in the Great Hall, and rules can be suspended for events such as the club’s lobsterfest.

Kitch members enjoy a club reciprocity agreement with Duluthbased Ridgeview and Northland

Country Clubs. There are also “partner” clubs across the U.S. and globe, which members can use while traveling. New members must be sponsored and receive two recommendation letters from current members. Dues and initiation fees also apply.

Duluth’s Kitchi Gammi Club is a longstanding place for its members to socialize, conduct business, enjoy fine dining and more. Plenty of future events loom on the horizon, including jazz on Saturday afternoons, renovations and expansions to their guest suites and meeting areas, and the planned return of the old English garden.

For more information, please visit kitchigammiclub.com. D

By Andrea Busche