Eastern Club History

"The purpose of this organization shall be to bring together at frequent intervals those who are interested in the breeding, training, exhibiting, owning and betterment of the English Springer Spaniel."

-preamble to the original constitution and by-laws

Ch Freejax Royal Salute Breeder/Owner Fred Jackson

Best of Breed Winner at the 1st Eastern Specialty 1947

Eastern English Springer Spaniel Club was founded in 1946.

"Right from the start Eastern has been one of the brightest stars in the galaxy of springer clubs. Initial discussions took place in 1945 when a half dozen exhibitors, dissatisfied with trends in springer judging, agreed to unite. At the American Spaniel Club show (January 1946) there was a general meeting open to all who were interested. The club's name was approved and officers elected the first evening of Westminster. By the end of the first year, membership had grown to over a hundred members and has remained at about that number since.

The first president was Mrs. R. Gilman Smith, Melilotus Kennels, Connecticut;

Vice president William E Bellville, Sanblown Acres Kennels, Pennsylvania;

Secretary Frederick Shaw, Robinwyck Kennels, New York;

Treasurer Dr. Grace Wilder, Happy Hunting Kennels, Massachusetts.

In 1948 a Futurity Stake was established and has continued the be the largest futurity stake in the country. The first Eastern specialties were held in conjunction with all breed shows, jumping from Somerset Hill, NJ to Reading, PA to Waterbury, CT to accommodate the wide and scattered membership.

In 1956 Eastern held its first independent specialty in Bethel, CT and has continued to do so ever since.

The first independent specialty was one of the largest ever to be held in the country took place at the home of Melilotus Kennels, where Mary Scott from England judged an entry over 150."

-Taken from The English Springer Spaniel in North America

EESSC has continued its specialties in various locations from Wallingford, CT to Sturbridge, MA (hosting the ESSFTA National in 1996) and now the specialty resides in Warwick, RI.

Continuing the fine tradition of Eastern Specialties, the club began hosting back to back specialties in Warwick, RI in 2003 and continues to do so now with the addition of all-breed Rally trials as well as Agility trials in Granby, MA.

Through The Years

1940's 1950's 1960's 1970's 1980's 1990's 2000's

Click on a Decade to see photos of past Eastern memories

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Website Last Updated January 15, 2007

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