The collection is a combination of materials from the Springfield Rowing Club, the Springfield Rowing Development Association, and the Lake Springfield Rowing Club.
The collection includes 1970s new articles, photos, event posters from events Springfield Rowing participated in, information about boats, drawings of rowers, information about John Kelly Sr. and Jr., Springfield Rowing Development Association letterhead, a map of Lake Springfield, and correspondence about rowing to John Kelly 1964 from Orin F. Bolling. Lake Springfield Rowing Club materials include 1995-1996 meeting minutes, member lists, and the planning of the US Rowing Midwest Masters Regional on Lake Springfield, July 22, 1995. Also includes information about Margaret Friel’s experiences as a rowing judge.
Background: Interest in amateur rowing caught hold in Springfield just before World War II when a group of young men formed the Springfield Rowing Club. The club closed during the war, but rowing was revived in the early 1970s mainly through the efforts of Fred Bolling, a charter member from Springfield. The Springfield Rowing Development Association formed in 1971. Springfield hosted regattas in 1971 and 1972 for Midwest colleges and universities. The Lake Springfield Rowing Club hosted the US Rowing Midwest Masters Regional on Lake Springfield, July 22, 1995. John B. Kelly, Sr. was an Olympic champion rower from Philadelphia. John B. Kelly, Jr. was an accomplished rower, a four-time Olympian, and an Olympic medal winner.