The Arts and Letters Club of Toronto (usually just called The Arts and Letters Club) is a private club in Toronto, Ontario, which brings together writers, architects, musicians, painters, graphic artists, actors and others working in or with a love of the arts. It was founded as a gentlemen's club, but women have been members since 1985. St. George's Hall The club is located in a historic building, St. George's Hall, at 14 Elm Street in downtown Toronto. It is protected under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act, designated by the City of Toronto since 1975. In 2007 its premises were designated a National Historic Site of Canada. It is sometimes open to the public during Doors Open Toronto. The building has been described as "an eclectic blend of architectural styles popular at the end of the nineteenth century, combining elements of Romanesque, Flemish, and medieval architecture." When the club moved to the building in 1920 it made numerous renovations, including new windows and a large stone fireplace in the neo-Gothic Great Hall. It now has a lounge, meeting rooms, a library, art studio, and the two-story Great Hall for concerts, plays, lectures and meals. History and background The club was founded in 1908 by journalist Augustus Bridle, who arranged a first meeting on 23 March 1908. At a meeting on 14 May the motion to give the club its name was moved by E. Wyly Grier; The Globe reported "it is the intention of the members of the club to seek among themselves a genial companionship, and to increase sympathy between the various branches of the arts." The first official meeting of the club was in late October 1908. Events moved from place to place until late 1909, when the club moved to its first home at 42 King St. East, above the Brown Betty Tea Rooms. In 1910 it moved to 57 Adelaide St. East, on the second floor of the County of York Courthouse. In 1920 it moved to its present quarters at St. George's Hall at 14 Elm Street, which it rented until 1986 when it bought the building. Membership opened to women in 1985. Among the forty-two "charter women" members was Laure Rièse. Cultural influence The club has been an important part of Canadian cultural life since its founding, and "many of the key figures in a number of the arts organizations being created