About The Players Preservation Fund

The Players Preservation Fund is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation formed primarily for the purpose of restoring and preserving the historically and architecturally significant building located at 16 Gramercy Park South in New York City.

Located in New York’s historic Gramercy district, 16 Gramercy Park has a rich history. The townhouse is most famously home to The Players, a social club established in 1888, which to date remains the oldest private club in New York to still occupy its original headquarters.

With its distinctive Stanford White-designed façade, The Players’ clubhouse has welcomed noteworthy figures throughout its long history, including Edwin Booth, Mark Twain, General William T. Sherman, President Grover Cleveland, Stanford White, Frank Sinatra, and Sarah Bernhardt. Notably, the upstairs rooms hosted the secret meeting that led to the establishment of the Actor’s Equity Association.

16 Gramercy Park South earned National Historic Landmark status in December 1962, and became a New York City Landmark in March 1966. Through our work, the Players Preservation Fund seeks to preserve this historic Gramercy townhouse for the education and enjoyment of future generations.