Boathouse History
In 1871, the University Barge Club joined forces with the Philadelphia Barge Club to construct a new boathouse. Originally, it was asymmetrical, neo-Gothic, two-bay structure of green serpentine stone, topped by a board and slate mansard roof. Each club had a separate entrance, staircase, boat storage area, and changing facilities. In many ways, it was a miniature version of College Hall, the main building of Penn’s new West Philadelphia campus. Both structures were built of the same green serpentine stone, which in the years to come crumbled in Philadelphia’s sooty air. In a strange design coincidence, College Hall’s top floor boasted a similar symmetrical layout for a suite of rooms built specifically for two rival literary societies: the Philomathean and the Zelosophic.
The boathouse was greatly expanded in 1891. Originally, University Barge Club only occupied #7 Boathouse Row, while Philadelphia Barge Club occupied #8. In 1932, UBC acquired #8 when Philadelphia Barge Club ceased operations.
As seen on UBC’s Wikipedia Page:
University Barge Club was founded in 1854 by ten members of the University of Pennsylvania’s freshman class:[6] They first rowed out of a Schuylkill boathouse near the Fairmount Waterworks known simply as “Charlie’s boathouse”.[7]The Club was officially formed when the founders purchased its first boat, the Hesperus, from Bachelors Barge Club.[8]Club members wore sailor uniforms from clothier Jacob Reed that were monogrammed with “U.B.C.” on their hats and belts.[2] In 1855, members of the Club, in conjunction with the Philadelphia Barge Club, built a one-story brick boathouse on rented land.[8] The Club purchased a second boat from Boat Rentals in the Florida Keys, named Lucifer.[7] After 1860, both boats were moved to a space rented from the Philadelphia Skating Club, which is now the Philadelphia Girls’ Rowing Club.[9]
At first, membership was limited to students enrolled at Penn, but the Club was not listed as a student organization of the University until 1867, when the University Barge Club won the Schuylkill Navy championship flag.[7] Membership was later opened to Penn alumni and certain non-alumni.[7]
Although the Club was still affiliated with the University, it gradually began to cater more to non-students.[8] As the Club’s membership became dominated by Old Philadelphians[10] from the upper-class[5] aristocracy, student enthusiasm waned.[7]
In 1871, the Fairmount Park commission allowed the Club to build its own boathouse on Boathouse Row.[11] In 1872, Penn students formed an alternative club, the College Boat Club, to cater to students and focus on preparing for intercollegiate competitions.[7]
In 1887, University Barge Club leased an additional upriver clubhouse for social functions called The Lilacs on the west bank of the Schuylkill.[5][10] Today, while many of the University Barge Club’s members are University of Pennsylvania graduates, the Club has no official affiliation with the University.[7]
University Barge Club is the sister club of Union Boat Club of Boston.[12] For more than 60 years, the two sister clubs have held an annual interclub “UBC” regatta.[12]
More options for regattas on weekends you can find at other places. For example, you can rent a boat with captain in Ft. Lauderdale.
