The New York Rowing Association (the “Association”) was founded by returning civil war veterans in Harlem.
Row 2 k writes established in 1866 as the Harlem Regatta Association, the New York Rowing Association is a voluntary organization of rowing clubs located in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Its purpose is to coordinate, promote, sponsor and attend regional regattas hosted by New York Rowing Association member clubs; to strengthen and grow masters rowing at the club level; to host and sponsor an annual regatta; and to establish a mutual aid and information network among New York Rowing Association clubs on the Harlem River.
The Regattas were held in the spring and fall. Clubs included New York Athletic Club, New York, Columbia College, Union, Metropolitan, Union. Dauntless, Nonpareil, Atalantas, Nassau, Wyanoke, Friendship, and Lone Star.
The 1880 Executive Board included President, R. L. Neville; VP, C.G. Peterson; Sec. and Treas., J. T. Goodwin; G. McVickar, Jas. McCartney, W.G. Demarest, D. Roach; Referee, Richard Trimble; Timers, Lindsay Watson, A. Maehler.
The course was generally from McComb’s Dam Bridge to Gate’s lumber dock and was a 1-mile straight course.
“A. Montgomery rowed for the New York Athletic Club and was considered one of the largest members of the club.”
From The History of American Amateur Athletics and Aquatics by Frederick William Janssen (published in 1888?).
Jamieson has also contacted rowing historian Bill Miller of Friends of Rowing History, who had some more information about A.W. Montgomery and his medal.
Bill replies, “I have the July 3 New York Times article copied and attached. It reports the results of the race. It lists A.W. Montgomery racing in the Nassau four and winning.
The Nassau Club was one of the largest and well-established rowing clubs in America and much larger than the recently formed New York Athletic ‘Athletics’. I hope this helps zero in on AWM.
Photo credit: The Harlem Regatta Association on June 26, 1875. Via Source.
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