Since 1904

Headquartered in New York City with a community of Chapters around the world, The Explorers Club has been supporting scientific expeditions of all disciplines, and uniting our members in the bonds of good fellowship for over a century.

Historical highlights

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First written mention of The Explorers Club
April 1904

The Club is incorporated 1905

The Club officially takes onto its rolls all members of the Arctic Club of America 1913

Ladies' Night Lectures begin with an evening hosted by Mabel Cook Cole

Image Copyright: The Field Museum

The first Club Flag is carried on expedition to Venezuela by Theodore de Booy 1918

First publication of The Explorers Journal 1921

An early draft of what would become The Explorers Club Flag 1925

The Club moves to its current Headquarters 1965

Women are admitted as Members of the Club following an impassioned letter from Carl Sagan 1981

The Famous Firsts

Among countless notable achievements in exploration, five firsts achieved by our members define the legacy of The Explorers Club.

1909 North Pole

On April 6, 1909 Robert Peary, Matthew Henson, their Inuit guide Ootah, and three other Inuit named Ooqueah, Seegloo, and Egigingwah, reached the North Pole—or at least came close.

Matthew Henson & Robert Peary

1911 South Pole

On December 14, 1911, Amundsen and his team became the first to reach the South Pole. At approximately 3 o’clock in the afternoon, the team simultaneously shouted “Halt!” and raised the Norwegian Flag. To ensure they had actually crossed the Pole, team members set off twelve miles in opposite directions for good measure.

Roald Amundsen, Olav Bjaaland, Helmer Hanssen, Sverre Hassel, Oscar Wisting

1953 Highest Point on Earth The Summit of Mt. Everest

At 11:30 in the morning on May 29, 1953, Nepalese Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and New Zealander Edmund P. Hillary reached the summit of Mount Everest, the world’s highest peak. The two men smiled and shook hands as they stood upon the highest ground on Earth, more than 29,000 feet above sea level.

Edmund P. Hillary & Tenzing Norgay

1960 Deepest Point on Earth Mariana Trench

On January 23, 1960, US Navy lieutenant Don Walsh and Swiss engineer Jacques Piccard set a record for the deepest descent below the ocean’s surface aboard the bathyscaphe Trieste.

Jacques Piccard & Don Walsh

1969 Surface of the Moon Apollo 11

On July 20, 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin walked on the Moon while Columbia command module pilot Michael Collins orbited.

Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong & Michael Collins