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Club History
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ORGANIZATION AND THE EARLY
YEARS
The North East River Yacht Club
was organized by a group of yachtsmen interested in safe boating and good
fellowship. In July of 1930 a certificate of incorporation for North East
River Yacht Club, Inc. (NERYC) was recorded in Maryland. These gentlemen
started NERYC with an initial capital fund of five thousand dollars
($5,000.00). The certificate of incorporation states:
"The object of
this Club shall be to encourage the sport of yachting, to promote the
science of seamanship and navigation, to provide a suitable Clubhouse,
Anchorage and Piers for the use of its boating members and to provide
facilities for the recreation and social activities of all its members, both
boaters and non-boaters."
Additionally, it states that: "The said
corporation is not formed for the purpose of profit in any manner whatsoever
but is to be supported and maintained primarily by purchase of stock and by
contributions to it in the form of membership dues and assessments."
At first the original two story square part of the present building was
leased from North East Heights Realty Company. At that time, the building
was new with the second floor not entirely completed. Although originally
built as a residence, the clubhouse was never used for other than club
purposes.
THE WAR YEARS AND THE
FIFTIES
The early period of the club is somewhat hazy due to the loss of many of the
early records. The author is therefore dependent on the memory of some of
the earlier members. Additionally much of the information was taken from the
Nor'Easter, published in 1980.
About 1936 the second floor was
finished by volunteer labor. Two years later in 1938, the basement under the
main lounge was made usable as a "Rathskeller". This was also accomplished
with volunteer help. In 1940 the dance floor wing with the basement barroom
below was added with much of the work being done by members. This basement
barroom is currently the "Burgee Lounge" and is a favorite informal
gathering and eating place for members.
Until 1947 there was an open
L-shaped porch adorning the west and south sides of the clubhouse. In 1947
the south side porch was enclosed for use as a dining room and the west side
porch was screened. Also during that same year, the basement barroom below
the dance floor was finished and a circular bar was built to replace the
short straight bar in the northeast corner of the basement.
During
1952 the enclosed porch dining room was enlarged westward and northward. It
was during that renovation that the rounded corners which now grace the
present dining room were added. At this same time the kitchen was enlarged
and separate showers for both men and women were built to the east of the
main building. During the same time period the McCord Land Swap gave the
club the ground across the street. Today it is surrounded by hedge and used
for a parking lot. Also in the same time period a flagpole was donated to
the club and remains in use today.
1960 TO THE PRESENT
In 1962 the club was again expanded and the entire facility was
air-conditioned and redecorated. This comparatively extensive and expensive
work required financing, and the membership approved new by-laws, a bond
sale, and a mortgage. Also in the same year the property to the north was
acquired. Additionally in 1962, extensive plumbing and drainage reworking
was required. This was due to increased usage of both dining and bar
facilities. Unhappily in 1995 it was necessary to modify and expand the
capacity of the sewage and drainage systems.
The club docks have
gone through many changes since 1930. A new bulkhead was completed in 1966.
In 1967 electric and water were added to the dock facilities. The next year
with the purchase of the bulkhead riverfront lot next door, the club
expanded into an enviable waterfront property with an excellent view and
room for an extensive mooring area.
The year 1947 brought about the
first work day. This day has since developed into a yearly event. The
workdays in the spring and fall afford the members an opportunity to engage
in various repairs, improvements and general upkeep along with a great deal
of camaraderie. These volunteer workdays also help to keep the North East
River Yacht Club one of the premiere yacht clubs on the Chesapeake Bay.
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