An article from the December 1939 American Chamber of Commerce Journal chronicles the origins of “Amcham”, founded in 1920. In the early 1900’s Arthur “Art” Fergusson, (for whom an Ermita Plaza is named)gathered together a small group of American businessmen, members of the old time Philippine Commission and Executive Bureau. This group began “The Manila Coffee Club”. They met at a Round Table in M.A. “Met” Clarke’s Restaurant on the Escolta.

The article describes the original member’s activities and fates, as well as the origins of “Tom’s Dixie Kitchen” and the Philippine-American Guardian Association (which lives on in current times) seeing to the welfare of children of American Paternity.BB

(Source: American Chamber of Commerce Journal)

Download American Round Tables in Manila