Amrita Club
Why it's listed
Built in 1912 at a cost of $100,000, this clubhouse at 170 Church Street in Poughkeepsie has served the Amrita Club throughout its life. The club was organized in March 1873 and was described by historian Edmund Platt as the first club of any importance in the city. Its charter members included the lawyer and historian Frank Hasbrouck. Before 1912 the organization rented rooms or refurbished existing buildings. The three-story brick building has a raised marble-faced basement and a central doorway with a marble surround, paired columns, a dentil-molded entablature and a stained-glass transom. The first story has arched French windows and iron balconies, and a projecting dentil cornice crowns the roof. Inside are a formal double stairway, an oak-paneled dining room and sun porches. It is one of only a few Colonial Revival institutional buildings in Poughkeepsie and one of two such brick examples, and it is regarded as a monument to its era in the city and region.
Significance in brief: The Amrita Club was the first club of any importance in Poughkeepsie, organized in 1873 for businessmen and professionals. Its 1912 building is one of a few Colonial Revival institutional structures in the city and one of only two such brick buildings. The nomination cites its sophisticated application of the style.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 82001119, listed November 26, 1982. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 170 Church St., Poughkeepsie |
|---|---|
| County | Dutchess County |
| Listed | November 26, 1982 |
| Reference number | 82001119 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still used as a club; described as in excellent condition with no major alterations. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.70173, -73.92947 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 82001119.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q4748668
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.