In 2024 and 2025, PRBF was pleased to grant funds to restore the historic East, West, and South facades of the Potomac Boat Club. Work included strategic replacement of deteriorating woodwork and shingles, waterproofing, and flashing, as well as a wholesale fresh coat of paint for the grand dame of Water Street.
PRBF has committed funds to renovate, restore and weatherproof the windows and French doors in the ballroom. As this project nears completion we have committed funds to renovate the front façade of the building. This involves replacing rotten wood, broken shingles, power washing and painting.
The foundation committed funds to a project to restore the iconic riverside porch of the Potomac Boat House. The project was a great success, and the foundation, together with the Potomac Boat Club, received the 2017 District of Columbia Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation for Stewardship.
PRBF contracted with AKF engineering consultants to conduct a MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) Study of the boat house for presentation to the PBC Board of Governors. The report identified and prioritized infrastructure issues and included cost estimates for each.
A new historically accurate standing seam roof was installed in the fall of 2017. It was generally a smooth process, with just a few hitches as contractors discovered questionable areas in the old roof. With the spring of 2018 being a record one for rainfall we were glad to have this sturdy new roof guarding boats, the historic ballroom and locker rooms from the elements.
Together with the Potomac Boat Club Board of Governors and Float Captain, PRBF worked to solicit bids for and replace PBC’s decades-old, deteriorating rock ramps. They were installed in February 2023. The new ramps honor the historic nature of the Club while providing a safer and more reliable access point for recreation on the river.
