East 17th Street at Union Square by Edward Lamson Henry

Presentation of Colors, 1864. Painting by Edward Lamson Henry (1841–1919). It was during Civil War (1861-1865). The 20th Regiment United States colored troops marched to Union Square, arriving in front of the Union League Club House at one o'clock. A crowd of spectators filled the square. Over the entrance of the Club-house was a large platform ornamented with flags and filled with ladies. In the street was another platform occupied by prominent citizens. From the stand the colors were presented by President King of Columbia College.

The year before, the Union League Club decided to raise, recruit, and outfit two all-African-American Regiments. The 20th was the first one. The artist Edward Lamson Henry was a member of the Club, from 1868 to 1885.

The Union League Club was founded on February 6, 1861, to aid the Union cause. It leased the Parish residence at 26 East 17th Street and opened headquarters there on May 12. The club was incorporated in 1865 and its the last meeting in the old clubhouse, on Union Square, was on March 26, 1868.

The old Everett House, which opened in 1853, is represented in the corner of Fourth Avenue (now Park Avenue South).