Henderson Boathouse

Northeastern University

The Northeastern rowing teams are blessed with the best course west of Henley-on-Thames, the Charles River, and one of the finest crew homes in America, the Henderson Boathouse. The Charles was first the home course of the Massachusett Indian tribe. It was their waterway to the rich fishing grounds of Boston harbor. Competitive rowing made its debut on the eve of April 18, 1775 when Paul Revere did a power 20 across the Charles River basin to Cambridge to warn the countryside of the oncoming Brits. However, the origin of head-to-head rowing was reserved for the early to mid 19th century and came from two different cultures, the young men of Harvard, and recent immigrants from England and Ireland where the sport was popular.

Harvard kicked off collegiate competition in 1852 and Northeastern joined the Charles River navy in 1965. The river is now the home of 22 men's and women's college crews, which is easily double that of any other body of water. On a given spring Saturday there could be up to 50 races involving 150 shells. And, in the fall the gentle Charles hosts the world famous Head of the Charles Regatta.

The shores of the river are dotted with boathouses both ancient and elegant that reflect the popularity of the sport during the turn of the century. Then there are the newcomers such as Henderson Boathouse, the home of Northeastern rowing. It is a blend of the best of past and present. Renowned architect Graham Gund preserved the Victorian feel of the riverscape while endowing the five-bayed boathouse with the latest in modern technology. Named for benefactors Mary Louise and Ernest Flagg Henderson, it sits on Pebble Beach on the Allston-Brighton shore overlooking historic Mt. Auburn Cemetery.

The boathouse features towers, sloped roofs, dormers and porches, plus an exercise area with a 40-foot high cathedral ceiling. It is the ideal venue for Northeastern's excellent men's and women's crew programs.

The boathouse is named in honor of Ernie Henderson, a longtime member of NU's Board of Trustees and now Vice Chairman Emeritus.