#14 Boat House Row, Kelly Drive
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone: 215 978-8824
We celebrated our 60th anniversary on May 1-2, 1998 and were delighted that so many former members and six of the founders joined us!
Special tribute was paid to founding member Ruth Robinhold. Not only has she been an active member for all sixty years, her constant and generous support of the club is an inspiration to us all. A new trophy in her name will be awarded at the Stotesbury Regatta to the Girl's Junior Quad, one of her favorite events. In addition to her club support, she is well known for giving out medals at many regattas.
The Philadelphia Girls' Rowing Clubs house at 14 Boat House Row predates the founding of the club in 1938. As early as 1855 The Philadelphia Skating and Humane Society tried to secure a grant from the city to build a home on the banks of the Schuylkill.
The building was completed for $4,873 by February 1861. In addition to providing comfort for skaters, the building housed a hospital and "apparatus used for rescuing persons from a watery grave." Other clubs,including University and Undine rented the house before PGRC.
Seventeen women founded the club on May 4, 1938:
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The photos shown here are the front and back of the boathouse and were taken in 1933. The above drawing of skaters is from The Sunday Bulletin Magazine, March 3, 1963, p. 13.
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