Crescent Boat Club is an American amateur rowing club located at #5 Boathouse Row in the historic Boathouse Row of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1867[2] when Pickwick Barge Club[3] and Iona Barge Club merged.[4][5] Crescent Boat Club joined the Schuylkill Navy in 1868. In 1871, Crescent competed in and won the doubles event in the first regatta of the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen, an event "which undoubtedly helped the sport greatly."[6]
Today, Crescent Boat Club continues to contribute to the rowing community and Schuylkill Navy. The club houses two rowing programs, Roman Catholic High School and Thomas Jefferson University[7] during the scholastic seasons and its own novice, junior, and senior sculling programs as well as a private membership and social group. The club is available for rent to host events, meetings, parties, celebrations and gatherings.[8]
The boathouse
Between 1869 and 1871, Crescent erected a boathouse with Pennsylvania Barge Club.[9] Today, the club's boathouse exhibits the work of renowned Philadelphia architect Charles Balderston.[10][11] From 1890 to 1891, Crescent made alterations and additions, designed by Balderston, to the 1871 building.[12] The boathouse was initially two stories of stone, but Balderston's design added the upper stories of half-timbered brick and stucco, which cap the building today.[9]
After World War II
As a result of World War II, the club suffered a drastic reduction in membership. In 1951, Crescent turned the operation of its boathouse over to LaSalle Rowing Association.[13] The club was known as LaSalle Rowing Association until 1960.[14] By 1974, the boathouse was vacant.[9] Under the leadership of John Wilkins, the house was later reoccupied by Crescent.[11] In addition to hosting LaSalle's team, Crescent also hosted the St. Joseph's University women's team and the men's team from Roman Catholic High School. Crescent has the smallest membership of the clubs in the Schuylkill Navy.[15]
^Scharf, John Thomas; Westcott, Thompson (1884). "Public Squares, Parks, and Monuments". History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884. Vol. 3. L. H. Everts & Company. p. 1871.
^Pickwick Barge Club was founded in 1865.Peverelly, Charles A. (1866). "Pickwick Barge Club". The Book of American Pastimes. New York: Author. p. 217.
Janssen, Frederick W. (August 15, 1888). "Crescent Boat Club". Outing Library of Sports: American Amateur Athletic and Aquatic History 1829-1888. New York. p. 211.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
