Buzz
Groups often form as a gathering of like-minded individuals who come together to engage in discussions about topics that captivate their interest. These organizations may start with higher ambitions, aiming to contribute positively to society. However, they sometimes evolve into social clubs primarily for their members.
At times, these societies acquire negative reputations, with accusations of having sinister objectives to manipulate global politics being frequently directed at them. Other instances see them serving as platforms for indulging in enjoyable activities. Here are ten peculiar organizations that you’ve probably never come across.
10. The Alfalfa Club
The Alfalfa Club was established by four men at Washington, DC's Willard Hotel, named after the alfalfa plant. Specifically, the name refers to the plant’s roots, as the members ‘will do anything for a drink.’ There's a possibly fabricated tale suggesting it was founded in 1913 to honor Robert E. Lee’s birthday. Made up of ultra-wealthy or highly influential individuals, the society includes about 200 members, with new openings only occurring when someone passes away. Invitations are required for new members.
In terms of their activities, it appears the main purpose of the group is to host an annual banquet dinner on the last Saturday of January. The president of the United States is customarily invited to deliver a speech, with some presidents attending multiple times. During his first invite in 2009, President Barack Obama remarked, 'This dinner began almost 100 years ago as a way to celebrate the birthday of General Robert E. Lee. If he were here with us tonight, the General would be 202 years old. And very confused.'
For the initial 80 years, the Alfalfa Club kept women out of its membership, a policy that changed in 1994 after President Bill Clinton chose to boycott the event in protest.
9. The Dill Pickle Club
Though it has since dissolved, the Dill Pickle Club was established in 1914, founded by Archibald “Jack” Jones, a Canadian organizer with the Industrial Workers of the World, a labor union that sought to protect workers. After parting ways with the group over disagreements on their methods, Jones set out to create a society where people could discuss labor and social issues.
Some of Chicago's most renowned historical figures, such as Upton Sinclair and Clarence Darrow, were frequent patrons of the club. When Prohibition began, the establishment evolved into a speakeasy, becoming especially popular with the younger crowd, particularly college students. The addition of live performances, whether artistic or musical, further increased the club's charm. However, in the early 1930s, Jones chose to stop paying protection fees to the mob, leading to the club's closure by the police.
The essence of the club is captured perfectly by its entrance sign: the word 'Danger' and the phrase on the door: 'Step High, Stoop Low, Leave Your Dignity Outside.'
8. The UK Roundabout Appreciation Society
A rather obscure British group, the UK Roundabout Appreciation Society (UKRAS) does exactly what its name suggests: it celebrates roundabouts. Believing that straight roads alone lead to dull monotony, they advocate for the installation of roundabouts wherever possible and encourage using the central space to showcase art, monuments, or even windmills. In fact, UKRAS declared a roundabout featuring a functioning windmill as the best in Britain.
Founded by Kevin Beresford after the success of a calendar titled 'Best of British Roundabouts' he released in 2003, the society actively seeks out and documents the most unique roundabouts they can find. Fun fact: Beresford is affectionately known as 'Lord of the Rings.'
7. The Trap Door Spiders
In 1943, American scientist and author John D. Clark tied the knot with an opera singer. However, his friends, most notably writer Fletcher Pratt, had a strong dislike for her. Pratt’s aversion was so intense that he formed an exclusive, all-male club to spend time with Clark without his wife. And so, the Trap Door Spiders came into existence. The group’s name comes from the behavior of the trapdoor spider, which seals itself inside its burrow to block out enemies—chief among them, Mrs. Clark.
The original club was comprised of around 20 men who gathered once a month to dine and discuss current affairs. While women could attend, it was only at the host’s invitation. Much like some of the other groups on this list, a common way to gain membership was to be voted in after a member passed away. Some of the most renowned science fiction writers of the time, such as Isaac Asimov, Martin Gardner, and L. Sprague de Camp, were part of the group. (Asimov’s fictional society, the Black Widowers, was inspired by the Trap Door Spiders.)
6. The Seven Society
The University of Virginia's Seven Society is an enigmatic and highly secretive organization, with its origins steeped in mystery. Its emblem consists of the number seven, encircled by the symbols for alpha, omega, and infinity. The first recorded appearance of the emblem was in 1905, in the university's yearbook Corks & Curls. As for the identity of its members, no one knows who they are until after they pass away. At their funeral, a banner reveals their membership, and the University Chapel bells, donated by the Seven Society, toll in a pattern based on the number seven.
The Seven Society’s public visibility is minimal, but their acts of generosity are legendary. One of the most famous instances occurred during the 1947 commencement address when a small explosion near the stage revealed a check for $177,777.77, which gently floated down. This sum was used to create an interest-free loan fund for students, faculty, and staff facing financial difficulties. Other notable donations include $77.77 in 1955 to install a drinking fountain and $14,777.77 in 2008 to establish a fund for student-submitted proposals to enhance UVA.
5. The Gormogons
The Gormogons, formally known as the Ancient and Noble Order of the Gormogons, originated in 1724, when they were first mentioned in an article in London’s Daily Post. The society claimed to have descended from the Chinese, centuries earlier, and their mission appeared to be anti-Freemasonry. In fact, any former Freemason wishing to join had to renounce the Masonic Order beforehand.
The Gormogons left behind no documentation or records, and as a result, their origins and customs remain mostly a mystery. One popular theory suggests that the group was founded by Andrew Michael Ramsay, a passionate Freemason known as the Chevalier Ramsay. Regardless of the truth, the Gormogons vanished in 1738, the same year Pope Clement XII issued his papal bull condemning Freemasonry.
4. The Trilateral Commission
At last! We arrive at our first group steeped in secrecy, often associated with pulling the strings of global politics. The Trilateral Commission was founded in 1973 by David Rockefeller, allegedly after his fellow members of the notorious Bilderberg Group refused to admit Japanese members. The purpose of this group was to promote cooperation between leaders from Japan, Europe, Canada, and the United States. Rockefeller, along with the other founders, believed that by focusing on shared issues, the member countries could work together for mutual benefit.
Initially, the group was intended to exist for just three years, a triennium, but it has since been extended indefinitely. Over time, the membership has expanded to include countries such as China, India, and Mexico. Conspiracy theorists often highlight the Commission, alongside similar organizations, as part of a larger push toward a global government or economic system. This is likely due to the fact that many of the most influential political and business leaders have been or currently are members.
3. The Hemlock Society
In 1980, Derek Humphry founded the Hemlock Society in his Santa Monica garage, and it quickly grew into one of the largest right-to-die organizations in the United States. The group's core belief was that individuals facing terminal or untreatable illnesses should have the legal right to end their own lives through medically prescribed means. (The organization did not endorse suicide for emotional reasons, only in cases of terminal or intractable conditions.) While they never formally assisted anyone in dying, some members were involved in helping others, though this has been disputed by some, citing accounts of poisons and lethal doses mentioned in their literature.
The group's name is derived from the tragic tale of the Greek philosopher Socrates, who met his end by drinking poison hemlock. Membership within the society plateaued in the 1990s, coinciding with the rise of other like-minded organizations. This caused a decline in participation. In 2003, perhaps in an effort to revitalize the group, they rebranded themselves as End of Life Choices, only to merge with another group, Compassion & Choices, a year later. Along with the new name, they abandoned their former motto: “Good life, good death.”
2. Uttar Pradesh Association Of Dead People
In 1975, Lal Bihari sought a bank loan in his home district of Uttar Pradesh, India, only to be refused. The reason? The bank claimed he had been declared dead. This shocking revelation set him on an 18-year journey to prove that he was indeed alive. It turned out that his uncle had bribed an official to falsely declare Bihari dead, enabling him to take control of Bihari’s share of ancestral land.
Unable to make progress on his own, Bihari found others who had suffered similar fates. Together, they formed the Uttar Pradesh Association of Dead People. Their mission is to demand that the government officially acknowledge their existence, a struggle that often involves reclaiming land that was unlawfully seized by corrupt politicians and deceitful family members. The group gained significant traction, attracting thousands of followers, and in 2003, Bihari was awarded the Ig Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.
1. The Durham University Assassins’ Society
Located in the North East of England, Durham University is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Durham Castle, and, somewhat lesser-known, the Durham University Assassins’ Society (DUAS). Established in 1996, DUAS is one of the world’s oldest and most active assassins' societies. Throughout the academic year, they organize various 'games' that can last from several hours to multiple weeks. These 'games' involve players attempting to 'eliminate' others, typically using Nerf guns or cardboard knives.
DUAS hands out numerous awards to its members, many of which are quirky and fun, such as the Stephen King Award for Best Narration. One memorable recipient, Millie Power, won for her use of poetry in her kill reports. In addition, the society operates under an extensive set of highly detailed rules that guide how the 'games' are played.
