This last Black institution along the Anacostia is navigating development with intention

Seafarers Yacht Club, one of the last historic black institutions along the Anacostia River, isn’t worried that it’s wedged between two multi-billion-dollar development projects—in fact, club leadership thinks it might benefit.  

Once threatened by development, the club’s recent historic designation now offers it protection and potential partnerships as the 11th Street Bridge Park and the reimagined Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium development transforms the Anacostia waterfront. 

In a prime, almost hidden corner of Boathouse Row, Seafarers was founded by mariner and educator Thomas Lewis Green 1945 with the support of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt and civil rights activist Macy McLeod Bethune.  At a time when boat clubs were exclusively “white-only,” Seafarers stood as a haven for Black boaters and a symbol of resilience.  

“It’s not about nostalgia. It’s about protecting what still serves the people,” said Roger Legerwood, Seafarers Yacht Club historian and 30-year member.

Historical designation offers legal protections 

Seafarers gained its historic designation in 2022, sponsored by the D.C. Office of Planning—shepherding in new protections against emerging developments. 

“We’re not scared, we’re historic. We’re in partnership with the D.C. government,” said Seafarers Yacht Club Commodore Tony Ford.  

Seafarers falls within Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, which requires federal projects to assess and mitigate adverse effects on historic properties.    

“If the review identifies potential adverse effects, the parties will coordinate to resolve them,” the D.C. Office of Planning said. 

Legerwood began documenting the history of the club about 25 years ago, almost by accident.  He said he found the history fascinating, and his chronicled account eventually became the basis for filing historic preservation. 

“They just can’t run through here without checking,” Legerwood said. “When we see or hear of threats, we look at it as an opportunity to engage.”  

The designation opens new doors for grant funding and restoration support. Seafarers partnered with the 11th Street Bridge Park team—the project to transform the abandoned 11th Street Bridge piers into a state-of-the-art park—to ensure the club’s legacy is cemented in the future of the waterfront.   

“Connecting to the river has always been one of our key goals,” said Scott Kratz, director of the Bridge Park project.  “Seafarers started the Anacostia River Cleanup in 1985.  They’ve been critical to restoring and healing the river.” 

Kratz’s team secured a U.S. Coast Guard permit to maintain the navigational envelope—increasing visibility for organizations like Seafarers.  The new park will include an environmental education center, which could feature Seafarers’ history and community programming.   

Ford, who has led the club for seven years, said he views the Bridge Park partnership as a model for respectful collaboration.  

“We’re already partners,” Ford said. “We offer free boat rides during cherry blossom week and talk about the history.  It’s not adversarial; it’s community.” 

Ford is less certain about the RFK Stadium development, a $3-billion project expected to generate thousands of jobs and billions in tax revenue.  

“We haven’t had a mutually respectful conversation with those developers,” Ford said. The club’s relationship is only through the mayor’s office, he said. 

Over the years, Ford said developers have used intimidation tactics. In one case, Ford said a developer sent an email alluding that Seafarer would sell its property before even having a conversation. Ford said he is used to the tactics—and some have already begun.

“Forming, storming, norming and performing, that’s how we figure out where we fit in,” Ford said. He added this is a teambuilding process that goes through different stages to understand their relationship and roles in the development projects. 

Despite concerns, Ford said he remains optimistic.  

“We are the oldest African American boat club in the country—not DC—in the country,” Ford said.  

Seafarers started the Anacostia River clean up, and we will continue to do what serves the community, Ford said. 

It’s about the community 

For longtime D.C. resident and recreational fisherman Derick Jones, this is personal.  Fishing on the Anacostia River for over 20 years, Jones acknowledged that the RFK development is good for the city.   

“I hope they don’t mess it up—a lot of young brothers come here to fish instead of getting in trouble,” Jones said. 

Jones urged developers to protect community spaces.  

“This is my fishing spot,” Jones said while laughing. “This is my peace of mind.”  

Seafarers board member Captain Anthony Hood echoed the sentiment. 

“We are a working club. Members bring their skills—woodwork, law, electrical—to keep things going.”   

Hood joined the club in 2020 after his wife passed. He said she always had encouraged him to buy a boat.   

“It has occupied my time and helped me heal—now I’m part of something bigger,” Hood said. 

As the business manager for Seafarers, Hood focuses on infrastructure and restoration efforts.  Partnered with Anacostia Riverkeeper and the Council of Governments, Seafarer received a grant to remove abandoned boats as part of an initiative for cleaner waterways, Hood said. 

With work-in-progress projects all around the club, Hood said the infrastructure needs attention.  Members are replacing old dock woods themselves, but with development funds, Hood said.  

“We could rebuild the docks, the rail system and even the clubhouse,” Hood said. 

Legerwood said the club wants to amplify Seafarers’ legacy and make boating more affordable and inclusive.  

“Inclusivity was our original mission,” Legerwood said. “Mr. Green built boats by hand but couldn’t find a place to dock because of his race—that’s why this place exist.” 

The D.C. Preservation League, which maintains the city’s historic inventory, said it added Seafarers to its public database after the designation and is now part of the public record.  

D.C. Preservation League said, “That visibility matters.”  

“We’re not just a boating club.” said Legerwood. “We’re a living archive of Black maritime history.”