Inside a Philly boat house !

Have you ever driven or been on the train and passed through Philadelphia and seen the magnificent boat houses along the river ? Have you ever wondered what they look like inside ? Well I have, and while I have run by them in the past, this summer I finally got to go inside. They are steeped in tradition, opening right up to the water and full of rowing equipment and boats. My grandfather (and our firm’s namesake), William L. Abrams, used to row a single shell while at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He enjoyed the rhythm of the sport and the beauty of the water. When I was in Boston last year for a case during the International Neurology Meeting, I walked rather than ran, because the scene of the rowers on the river was so spectacular. We went from Harvard Square down past M.I.T., crossed over and visited my alma mater, Boston University, went passed the Harvard Business School and then came back over to The Charles Hotel, where I and my co-counsel were staying.

In Philadelphia, nestled along the banks of the Schuylkill (Dutch for “hidden”) River, “Boathouse Row” is anything but hidden. It is a Philadelphia treasure – capturing and showcasing a beautiful natural setting, perfectly matched architecture, and an unparalleled history in competitive rowing. Without words, Boathouse Row paints a picture of the truly special relationship between a city and a river. Along with other unique (and historic), Boathouse Row symbolizes the Pride of Philadelphia. Boathouse Row also hosts such famous crew races as theHead of the Schuylkill Regatta, and high schools, colleges, clubs and open teams are often seen putting in and practicing within sight of downtown Philadelphia !