Philip Sherwood, only son of Judge James Murdock and Margaret L. (Sherwood) Smith, was born in Buffalo, New York, November 22, 1863. He was educated at the Heathcote School in Buffalo, and after his graduation had prepared to enter Yale College, but was prevented from entering by a serious illness. His studies were completed under private tutors and instruction.

He chose the profession of law, and began his legal study with Marshall Clinton and Wilson, his brother-in-law, being one of the members of the firm. He was admitted to the bar in 1887,and continued with his preceptors until the death of Mr. Wilson, when the firm was dissolved. Hethen formed a legal partnership with Charles R. Wilson, and under the firm name of Wilson & Smith, conducted a general law business.

Mr. Smith devotes his leisure hours to literary pursuits and pleasures, and has a very large and valuable library,containing many treasures in rare autographs, documents and early printed books. He is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Buffalo, and takes an active part in church work. He is a member of various scientific and literary societies, and is a fellow of the American Geographical Society, and member of the Society of Colonial Wars.

He married, October 8, 1890, Mary I., daughter of Thomas W. Cushing, a merchant of Buffalo, and his wife, Helen Lydia(Rockwell) Cushing. Children: James Murdock Smith (2) ,born July 25, 1891; he was educated at the Nichols School, and is now a student at Yale University,class of 1913.

- Source: "Genealogical and Family History of Western New York," ed. by William Richard Cutter,1912, Vol. I, p. 268

An offshoot of The Assoc. of College Alumnae,the College Club was formed in 1914 with 72 charter members. The purpose of the club was "to promote the social and intellectual interests of college educated women in Buffalo and its vicinity and to maintain a club house to this end."

A house at 163 Park Street was leased for one year.

In 1915 the Philip Smith House was leased. The club house had six second floor rooms and two third floor rooms to rent. In1920, the College Club bought the house at a cost of $34,000 ($311,758 in 2002 dollars).

Philip Sherwood Smith was the original owner of this elegant home which he built in 1904. Philip was born in Buffalo in1863. Although he was admitted to the NYS bar in 1887, he also pursued a Master of Arts from Hobart College, Geneva, New York. He was a life-longphilanthropist who supported the Albright Art Gallery, Buffalo Historical Society, Fine Arts Academy, and Buffalo Art School. His home was a center ofculture, noted for entertaining many celebrities from varied areas of cultural pursuits. Unfortunately Smith’s health failed after 1907 and his family movedto a smaller home in 1913.

Thus began its life as the College Club for women. 

The College Club was founded in 1913 by women from the Seven Sister Colleges: Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Mount Holyoke, Radcliffe, Smith, Vassar and Wellesley who were members of the American College Association which later morphed into the AAUW (American Association of University Women). 

By 1915 they needed a larger home and leased the Philip Smith’s former home on Summer Street. During the war years of 1916-1918, they supported the war effort by sewing and rolling bandages, knitting sweaters and socks, and selling liberty bonds. Through their generous philanthropic efforts, they supported a bed in a base hospital in France. Six of the women enlisted in the Red Cross and the Y.M.C.A. and went to France. 

At the end of WWI, the College Club members purchased the home. In 1927 the women established a Scholarship Loan Fund which over time has become a College Club Scholarship that is awarded annually to 2 worthy women. 

The architectural details throughout the home are a feast for the eyes. Maintaining the home has remained an important priority for the College Club and they have been excellent stewards for this beautiful home.

Today the College Club continues to function as a place where women can attend lectures, enjoy luncheons, and participate in a variety of activities. It has become a not-for-profit organization with the continued missions of providing affordable housing to women and granting annual scholarships. 
Many changes have taken place since the College Club’s inception 110 years ago. What remains constant however, is that engaged and determined women can continue to achieve the original purpose of the Club, which was “to promote social and intellectual interests of college educated women in Buffalo and its’ vicinity, and to maintain a Club House to this end.”

 Source: Explore Buffalo (online April 2024)