A Safe Haven for Immigrant Workers
The American Club®, true to its name, ignited a love of country that has echoed for generations. Founded by Walter J. Kohler,
Sr. with the belief that workers deserved more than just wages, The American Club created a safe haven for immigrant workers to nourish their bodies with wholesome food and nurture their minds and souls through education, nature, leisure, and camaraderie.
![The American Club, poem by Evangeline Kohler, June 23, 1918.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2-403003.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Annual Americanization Day (Citizenship Drive), undated.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1-230003.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Kohler Co. Associates, 1915.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/1-230004.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club construction, 1917.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2-403001.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club entrance, 1918.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2-403002.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Article on the dedication of The American Club, Kohler of Kohler News, July 1918.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2-403005.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Walter J. Kohler, Sr., 1918.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2-403006.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Floorplans of The American Club, First Floor, Second Floor, Kohler of Kohler News, July 1918.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2-403007.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club, Bowling Alley, 1918.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2-403008.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club, Game Room, 1918.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2-403009.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club, Laundry Room, 1918.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2-403010.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club, Laundry Room, 1918.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2-403011.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club, Gardens, undated.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2-403012.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The Bar of the American Club Tap Room, Kohler of Kohler News, March 1924.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2-403013.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club, Kitchen, 1918.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2-403014.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club, Laundry Room, 1918.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2-403015.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club, Kitchen, 1920s.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2-403016.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club, exterior, 1942.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2-404001.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The Woman's Club, Dinner, The American Club, 1920s.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/5-510001.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![First Meeting of The Woman's Club, The American Club, 1920.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/5-510004.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Letter from Richard Philipp to Herbert V. Kohler, Sr. concerning lighting in the American Club, February 5, 1942. Final Page](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac24938_rgb.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Letter from Richard Philipp to Herbert V. Kohler, Sr. concerning lighting in the American Club, January 26, 1942. Page 1](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac24939_rgb.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Letter from Richard Philipp to Herbert V. Kohler, Sr. concerning lighting in the American Club, January 26, 1942. Page 2](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac24940_rgb.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Letter from Herbert V. Kohler, Sr. to Richard Philipp concerning lighting in the American Club, January 24, 1942. Final page](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac24942_rgb.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Ebenezer Howard letter to Walter J. Kohler, Sr., May 25, 1926.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac24943_rgb.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club, exterior, undated. Kohler Band performance on the lawn.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac24945_2.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Men relaxing on The American Club front lawn. undated.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac24950.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Back of postcard showing The American Club Dedication speech, June 23, 1918, by O. A. Kroos, Walter J. Kohler, Sr., J. B. Murphy, Roy J. Miller, on the balcony.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac24955_rgb.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Back of postcard, The American Club exterior, prior to 1924.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac24957_rgb.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Memo concerning The Village of Kohler improvements, undated.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac24958_rgb.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Notes concerning town planning, undated.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac24961_rgb.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Notes concerning town planning, undated.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac24962_rgb.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Kohler of Kohler News, May 1920, cover.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac24966_rgb.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Early American Club Guest Book, Ye Book of Guests, cover, 1918.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac24976_rgb.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Early The American Club Guest Book, Ye Book of Guests, 1918.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac24980_rgb.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Early The American Club Guest Book, Ye Book of Guests, 1918.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac24984_rgb.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Early American Club Guest Book, 1919, cover, Visitors Book.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac25000.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Blueprint, South Addition to American Club, 1924, Brust and Philipp, Kohler Improvement Co., Elevations.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac25001.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Blue Bowling League Shirt with a double K logo, Rudolph, undated.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac25002.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Blue Bowling League Shirt with a double K logo, undated.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac25004.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club bowling alley bowling pin, undated.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac25009.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club bowling alley bowling pin, undated.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac25010.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club bowling alley wooden bowling pin, undated.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac25011_rgb.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club bowling alley bowling ball with HVK monogram, undated.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac25013.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![Bowling Trophy for Kohler Leagues, 1916 - 1922.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/aac25017_rgb.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club foundation construction, North Wing, 1922.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/foundation1922.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The Kohler Co. and Village Band, performance on the lawn. 1923.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/KohlerBand1923.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The Kohler Co. and Village Band, 1926.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/KohlerBand1926.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club groundbreaking, 1917.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/TAC_groundbreaking001.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)
![The American Club exterior, circa 1920.](https://i0.wp.com/www.kohlerarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/TACexterior.jpg?w=1200&ssl=1)