A T-Town Treasure: The University of Alabama University Club

I recently had the good fortune of attending the Alabama – Tennessee football game in Tuscaloosa and was treated to a pre-game lunch with friends at Alabama’s University Club. The University Club is housed in a historic home at the corner of Queen City Avenue and University Boulevard and it’s mission is to provide private dining and special events for the university and local community while educating University of Alabama students in effective hospitality management practices.

The front elevation of the structure is Greek Revival style with six Ionic columns. It has a hipped roof with one end chimney on each side. It is solid brick construction with plaster over the brick and painted white. The front door has double wooden doors, with a fan-shaped transom, rectangular side lights and pilasters.

As you enter the formal parlor is to the left. All of the carved mahoghany furniture is mid- nineteenth century.

The wall panels are French and illustrate scenes from the legend of Psyche and Cupid. They were made from original blocks rescued during the French Revolution. The scenes are not in sequence as two of the original panels are in the National Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Throughout the house, the fresco work and ceiling medallions are original. The chandeliers are not original, but imported antiques.

Mrs. H.D. Warner and her son, Jack, are responsible for many of the furnishings in the club. The Warner family owned Gulf States Paper Company and their extensive art collection became the basis for the current Tuscaloosa Museum of Art. The mantels and mirrors are also not original, but that doesn’t distract from their beauty as seen in the photos below. The black cabinet with ormolu and porcelain insets is gorgeous.

To the left of the entry hall is the music room which has a tall case clock and baby grand piano.

Continuing into the interior of the structure is the Social Dining Room which has a beautiful ceiling fresco and interesting wall paper.

Check out the beautiful moldings in the Social Dining Room.

Beyond the Social Dining Room is the Main Dining Room where we had a buffet lunch. Guess there’s no surprise everyone is dressed in crimson.

After lunch we headed up the main staircase to check out the upstairs.

At the first landing is the entrance to the Blue Room which features dining for 72 persons and a bar.

Heading on up the staircase to the second floor, there is a another public space, the Upstairs Sitting Room. The doors lead to a small second floor balcony situated above the main entrance.

To the left on the sitting room is another dining area, The Red Room.

On the other side of the sitting area is a small Private Dining Room, perfect for intimate dining or conference.

Also on this side are the Ladies Lounge and Ladies Restroom. The Ladies Lounge is a perfect area for a bride to get ready.

And check out the detail on the brass fireplace surround.

Check out this beautiful leaded glass door leading into the ladies restroom from the sitting room.

And these beautiful stained glass panels in the ladies room.

Normally, I wouldn’t take photos of a restroom, but the tile and wood canopy are so attractive.

Sorry, I wasn’t able to get photos of the mens room. 🙂

Hope you’ve enjoyed this peek into a piece of Tuscaloosa history and this T-Town treasure. A special thanks to my friends for the invite to the Alabama University Club!

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