Renovations on the Row - Caring for Historic Boathouses

Join PGRC for a panelist discussion on Philadelphia's historic Boathouse Row and following reception with drinks & light fare.

Boathouse Row is a unique collection of recreational buildings significant both for their design and their function as the headquarters for leading American rowing clubs. As a National Historic Landmark, the Row is noted for the architectural variety of the boathouses and the prominent architects associated with their design, which make the boathouses of considerably more interest than typical late 19 th century and early 20 th century utilitarian buildings. Clubs along the Row include the oldest continuously existing club in the United States, and the oldest competitive women’s rowing club.

These buildings require tender loving care, and in recent years, several of the boathouses have been renovated to preserve their historic character as well as maintaining their usefulness for current and future rowers. Hosted by PGRC, the members of which have been working on renovating our own boathouse (the oldest on the row), this panel will bring together preservation practitioners, architects and historians to chat about the challenges and rewards of caring for these incomparable houses.

Jeffrey Cohen, Term Professor in the Growth & Structure of Cities Program at Bryn Mawr College, former member of Penn crew

Jeffrey A. Cohen is an architectural historian who has taught in Bryn Mawr College’s Growth & Structure of Cities Department since 1995. Publications have included co-authored works on the Architectural Drawings of Benjamin Henry Latrobe (1994), Frank Furness: the Complete Works (1991, 1996), and Drawing toward Building (1986). More recent works have focused on forms of representation and evidence tracking the evolution of 18th- and 19th-century cities, more specifically through long urban street-views, fire insurance records, and architectural drawings.

Paul Steinke, Executive Director, Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia

Paul Steinke serves as executive director of the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, a membership-based organization whose mission is to promote the appreciation, adaptive re-use and development of the Philadelphia region’s historic buildings, communities and landscapes. He started in this role in June 2016 after serving on the organization’s board of directors for many years. Paul Steinke has served as General Manager of the Reading Terminal Market from 2001-2015. Before that, Paul served for nearly four years as founding Executive Director of University City District, a business improvement district that has played a key role in the revitalization of West Philadelphia. Before that, Paul spent seven years as Director of Finance and Administration for the Center City District, Philadelphia’s downtown business improvement district. A lifelong Philadelphian, Paul is a graduate of Penn State University. He also serves on the boards of Preservation Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Center City Proprietors Association, the National Association of Produce Market Managers, and the Garden Court Community Association.

Brian Wentz, Director of Historic Preservation, Keast & Hood Structural Engineers

Brian has over 29 years of structural engineering experience. A member of Keast & Hood since 1993 and a project manager since 2006. In 2018, he was promoted to the Associate level and named Director of Historic Preservation. Brian is a master at revitalizing old buildings and has worked on the firm’s most sensitive historic projects including the highly acclaimed Longwood Gardens Main Fountain Garden Restoration, Christ Church Philadelphia, Richard’s Medical Labs, and Hill College House Renovation for the University of Pennsylvania. Wentz holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the Pennsylvania State University and is a CSI Construction Documents Technologist. He is a member of the Association for Preservation Technology International and its Delaware Valley Chapter. He is a former board member of both the Association for Preservation Technology International Board and Delaware Valley Chapter Board.

About the Preservation Project - Shore Her Up!

PGRC proudly owns and maintains the oldest permanent structure on Boathouse Row. Shore Her Up! is a phased master plan for the renovation, restoration and preservation of this historic building for generations to come.

Phase 1: A Firm Foundation (Complete)

The boathouse required a new foundation with a steel-reinforced concrete slab. Boat bay walls, boat racks and lighting were also upgraded. This work was completed in 2015.

Phase 2: The Historic Exterior (In progress)

We have restored the integrity of the exterior of the building by repairing, repointing and cleaning all masonry. We also removed and restored all the windows and doors and painted exterior woodwork.

The last exterior project - for which we are currently raising funds - is stabilizing the rear deck foundations and rebuilding the leaning piers and the deck.

Phase 3: The Remodeled Interior

Once Phase 2 is completed we plan to renovate the interior of the building.  

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