Boathouse Row Preserves Birthplace of American Rowing

As Philadelphia joins the nation in commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States this year, one of the community's treasures is proudly upholding history and tradition.

Boathouse Row along the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia is a National Historic Landmark that remains an active hub for American rowing, hosting major rowing regattas. Many of the boathouses date back to the 1800s and are still in use today.

CBS News Philadelphia spoke with Matthew Kennedy, a marketing student at Drexel University, who trains on the same body of water that has supported the sport for nearly 200 years.

"Boathouse Row is just like one of the largest rowing communities in the world," Kennedy said, "and it's very vibrant, and I think it's a privilege to be able to row here."

Today, a vibrant rowing community includes college, club, masters, and high school programs, with Drexel University among the teams practicing there.

According to CBS News Philadelphia, the first U.S. rowing regatta occurred in the area in 1835. The site later hosted a regatta tied to the country's 100th birthday.

"What a lot of people don't recognize is that Boathouse Row, the Schuylkill River, is really the birthplace of American rowing," said Bonnie Mueller, officer of the Schuylkill Navy, the athletic governing body for Boathouse Row, in a statement shared with CBS News Philadelphia. "For me, the sport of rowing and the story of our nation are perfectly linked together. We are a nation that believes out of many, one."

Efforts by the Schuylkill Navy aim to preserve the historic boathouses and improve their accessibility, while balancing heritage with contemporary use and public enjoyment.