Fifty years ago, a venerable old Aiken home took on a new identity when the Green Boundary Club was founded on Whiskey Road.

The history of the house, however, dates back to the 1920s. The home, originally a winter estate called Sunshine, was designed by Willis Irvin and built for William Zeigler in 1927.

"It stayed within his family until 1955 when a group of Winter Colony residents bought it to make into a private club," said Robert Mell, the Green Boundary's assistant manager.

The residents generally gave their cooks Thursday night off, he said, so, to avoid cooking, the part-time residents raised about $100,000 to buy the club so they could dine out that night.

"They went around town in one afternoon and collected enough money to buy the club," said Mimi Cullinan, the Green Boundary's chief operating officer. "And the staff they gave the night off ended up over here to make some more money."

After the Zeiglers sold the house, said Jack Wetzel, the club's president, they returned to New Jersey.

"I suspect that they never quite gelled with Aiken society," Mr. Mell said. "On this beautiful property, there's not one stable."

Mr. Wetzel said the three-story house cost about $35,000 to build in the 1920s. The Georgian house has 19 rooms and a guest cottage. Many of the rooms feature high ceilings, chair rails, built-in book cases and intricate crown moldings.

"Those are all single pieces of wood that are nailed up to make that molding," Ms. Cullinan said.

The club, which has a private membership of about 300 people, is open from September to June. Members can stay overnight in nine rooms on the second floor or three rooms in the guest cottage.

"You can walk in, and it's like going to your grandmother's house or an old aunt's house," Mr. Wetzel said. "It's a home away from home feeling. You can walk in and step back in time."

Club members also can enjoy dinners prepared by Greg Mueller, the executive chef, in a variety of settings. They can dine in the library, which features cypress paneling, or the enclosed porch along the rear of the house.

Twice a month, members can reserve the "chef's table" for six in the kitchen.

The informal Bobby Knowles Grill and Pub, named in memory of the immediate past chairman of the board, is a favorite dining spot for the members. Many trophies that belonged to the accomplished amateur golfer, and his driver and putter, are on display in the sun room-turned-grill.

A series of original Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec paintings line the halls of the second floor. The 8-acre property also features a croquet court on the back lawn, and the club gives its members a place to honor the legacy of Aiken's Winter Colony residents.

"They gave so much to the community," Mr. Wetzel said. "They brought all their hobbies, all their art, all their interests with them. And that's what makes Aiken what it is today."

Reach Betsy Gilliland at (803) 648-1395, ext. 113, or betsy.gilliland@augustachronicle.com.