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Washington’s historic Anacostia boathouses, sometimes called Boathouse Row, include four clubs dedicated to motorized recreational boating – Eastern Power Boat Club (1905), Washington Yacht Club (1910), Seafarers Yacht Club (1945), and the former District Yacht Club (1950) – all located on the west bank of the Anacostia along M and Water Streets SE.

The clubs share a history that includes, first and foremost, a love of the Anacostia River, but also stories of forced moves around its banks, damaging weather events, exclusionary policies in both the private and government sectors, and a strong sense of environmental responsibility. The stories of these clubs — how they demonstrate the city’s relationship with the Anacostia and how they have promoted an uplifting of the community through education and recreation – will be the topic of the October 7 lecture given by Anne Brockett for the Overbeck Capitol Hill History Project.

All of the clubs were determined eligible for historic designation in 2011 and two have since been listed in the National Register of Historic Places, for which Anne Brockett, architectural historian at the DC Historic Preservation Office, wrote the nominations. Anne has been an architectural historian at the D.C. Historic Preservation Office for over 20 years, helping homeowners, businesses, District agencies and the Federal government with preservation projects. She also handles rehabilitation tax credit applications, keeps an eye on the city’s historic cemeteries, and, when she can, researches and writes historic designation nominations.

The Monday, October 7, lecture on Boathouse Row will be held at Old Naval Hospital, Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, beginning at 7:00 pm. (Please note the earlier start time.) Admission is free but a reservation is required due to limited capacity. Reservations can be made starting September 24, 2024. Seating will begin at 6:30 pm; available seats will be released to others beginning at 6:45 pm. The powerpoint presentation will begin at 7 pm. If you have a reservation and are unable to attend, please notify Hill Center (202-549-4172) so that another person can attend.