The Millrose Athletic Association of John Wanamaker Employees came into being in 1908. Our Association, from it's inception, has been a member and staunch supporter of the Metropolitan Association of the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States. Our Athletic Assocation originated and was organized as a result of the strong interest manifested by Rodman Wanamaker, son of John Wanamaker, founder of the Wanamaker business and Postmaster-General from 1889-1893 in the administration of President Benjamin Harrison.
Greatly concerned with the physical well-being, welfare and health of his "store family" (an affection term he used when referring to the store personnel), Mr. Wanamaker, a great sportsman, was the influence and force which inspired the formation of our Associaition in the John Wanamaker store. The name first adopted by us was "Wahna" Athletic Association (Wahna being a Wanamaker trade name). Our name was later changed from Wahna to John Wanamaker Athletic Association. In February, 1910 the name of the Assoication was changed to "Millrose", the name of of Mr. Rodman Wanamaker's country home. Simultaneously, the Athletic Association of the John Wanamaker Philadelphia store was named "Meadowbrook", after the country home of Mr John Wanamaker. On July 27, 1910 a corporate character bearing the name Millrose Athletic Association was granted to us by the Secretary of State serving in the administration of Governor John A. Dix.

(The Wanamaker Millrose Story, Millrose Athletic Association, c/o John Wanamaker Westchester, Yonkers NY.)