In the fall of 1921, a number of engineers residing in Norfolk and Portsmouth entertained the idea of establishing a local engineers' club. It was not until the early part of the following year, however, that this idea took a more concrete form. Through the efforts of M. V. Serbell, former Chief Engineer of The Portsmouth Cotton Oil Refining Corporation, and at the time, a member of the Executive
Committee of the Virginia Section of A.S.M.E., an invitation was sent out to local engineers, which read as follows:
"Dear Sirs:
Upon the request of a number of engineers residing in this locality the undersigned wishes to invite you to a meeting to be held in The Chamber of Commerce, National Bank of Commerce Building, Norfolk, VA., Friday, January 20, 1922, at 8:00 p.m. The purpose to this meeting will be the consideration of the forming of an engineers club to comprise the territory of Hampton Roads. The object of the Club would be somewhat along the following lines:
A. To give the Engineers and other technical men located in this section the benefit of the united scientific and technical knowledge and experience of its members. B. To promote scientific and technical research. To further the acquaintance and fellowship among scientific and technical men. The recent meeting of the A.S.M.E., in conjunction with the A.I.E.E., and the A.S.C.E., held in Norfolk, January 5 and 6 gave evidence of the desirability of an engineers club, having for its purpose the items mentioned above, and besides this, would be able to render its services to the community. Yours very truly,
C. SERBELL"
Thirty Engineers attended the meeting on January 20, 1922 becoming the founders of The Engineers Club of Hampton Roads.
