About Us

Once upon a time there was a Prince called Henry. He was born five centuries ago in the country of Portugal, which was known then as “the end of the World.” Prince Henry, also known as “The Navigator,” knew that beyond the immense sea there was a new world to be found. He founded a nautical school in Sagres, a city in south Portugal. Here the most famous navigators learned the tricks of the trade, which led to their numerous new world discoveries.

Joao Goncalves Zarco and Tristao Vaz Teixeira began in 1418 by first discovering an island that they called Porto Santo. In 1419, the two navigators, accompanied by Bartolomeu Perestrello discovered the island of Madeira. Goncalo Velho Cabral discovered the Azores and Vasco da Gama finally reached the Indies. Pedro Alvares Cabral discovered Brazil. In 1472, Joao Vaz CorteReal explores America and in 1542 Joao Rodrigues Cabrilho discovered California.

Since then, people from all over the world have been coming to this rich and beautiful country we call the United States Of America. Family, work, religion, culture and above all, freedom, were factors that helped to create the Portuguese communities all over the United States. In 1932, in the small town of Stoughton, two young Portuguese friends tinkered with the idea of organizing a club. Two years later their dreams became a reality and the Portuguese National Club was born, to promote and encourage educational, social, athletic and civic activities.