At the time, the city saw significant growth in European as well as Chinese, Indian, Arab, and Indonesian communities, and thus the need for such clubs arose.
[citation needed] Colonel Robert Sandilands Frowd Walker was in large measure responsible for its formation and development in 1881.
The clubhouse was erected by the government, and is still kept in repair by the Public Works Department.
[citation needed] In front of the building is a playing field which is used for cricket, football, hockey, and tennis.
Many European residents of Larut, Matang, Krian, and Upper Perak were members of the club, and as was usual with most Federated Malay States clubs, ladies were admitted to its privileges gratis.
[citation needed] The leading social institution in the capital of Perak was the New Club, formed in 1892.
Its chief promoters were the late Dr. Shepherd and Messrs. Lefroy, Mais, Gray, and Aylesbury.
During the first year of its existence, the clubhouse was sold to the Sultan of Perak, and the present structure, built on a site granted by the Perak Government and H.M. Sultan Sir Idris Shah from plans prepared by Mr. Lefroy in 1893, was opened in the following year.
The building scheme was financed by the issue of debentures to the value of 10,000 dollars, nearly the whole of which has now been paid off.
The clubhouse overlooks the cricket and football grounds and the Taiping Hills.
It was the idea of Sir Frank Swettenham, who was passionate about horse racing.
In 1886, Burma ponies provided most of the racing and the meetings were primarily social functions.
At the beginning, the club's activities were carried out at the waterfall site near the foothill of Maxwell Hill.
However, in 1929, a swimming pool was built near the Maxwell Hill to accommodate the growth in membership.