The Thirteen Club

The Thirteen Club (13 Club) is a secret society at the College of William & Mary, founded in 1890, and noted for its philanthropic practices.

The original purpose of the organization is unclear, however by the 1920s it has become a less-secretive social club; in the 1920s, it was described as "an out-and-out drinking society" that hosted dinners and events. Invited guests and attendees at events were listed in the campus newspaper, the Flat Hat. ^[1] Due to the lack of documentation about the organization, myths persist about the secret nature of society.^[2] One such myth is that membership was a closely guarded secret.^[3] This may be an exaggeration, as members of the Thirteen Club are identified in the 1939 yearbook^[4] and past members are identified in the Alumni Gazette.^[5][6][7]

In its current form, the Thirteen Club is a philanthropic group that "aims to promote connectivity and appreciation for the college experience." The identities of students who are currently active members of the group are not disclosed.^[8]

According to a William & Mary Libraries Special Collections description, the Thirteen Club was reactivated in 1994 and promotes anonymous acts benefiting the campus. A self-published website associated with the group describes its 'Be Here Now' campaign as encouraging students to value their college experience in the present.^[9]

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