The Private Mens Club The Sanctum opened its doors

The Sanctum, a private men's club celebrating its 100th anniversary, let its guard down for the afternoon, welcoming more than 1,500 people taking a self-guided tour of some of the town's finest homes and landmarks, including First Congregational Church of Litchfield, the Litchfield Historical Society and the Tapping Reeve House and Law School.

A common misconception, Ebbs said, is that the club's members are nothing but a collection of stodgy, aging men sitting around smoking cigars, drinking and telling dull stories. The Thursday night dinner meetings are actually quite lively, Ebbs said, with lots of laughter and tales of the gossip of the day. Members play bridge on Wednesday nights and participate in a literary discussion on another night.Getting into the club isn't easy, as there is a waiting list. Seats open up when a member dies or resigns, an uncommon occurrence, Ebbs said.

"The Waterbury Connecticut Republican American Newspaper"

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