American Canoe Association Collection
Abstract
Papers associated with the American Canoe Association including circulars, correspondence, ledgers, membership lists, minutes, minute books, newsletters, pamphlets and record books. Also includes business papers of clubs, the United States Olympic Committee and the International Canoe Federation.
Dates
- Creation: 1881 - 1997
Language of Materials
English Latin
Restrictions on Access
Available for use in the Manuscripts Division.
Restrictions on Use
Various copying restrictions apply. Guidelines are available from the Manuscripts Division.
History of the American Canoe Association
In 1961, Commodore Roger I. Wilkinson wrote an essay about the history of the American Canoe Association.
In 1870 Mr. William L. Alden, a member of the editorial staff of the NEW YORK TIMES, became interested in canoeing reports from England. The TIMES published several articles on the subject and awakened considerable interest. In the same year Mr. Alden was the leading spirit in founding the New York Canoe Club, the first of its kind in America In response to a circular sent by Nathaniel Bishop, author of the classic "Voyage of the Paper Canoe," to all known canoeists in the United States, twenty-three responded and journeyed to Crosbyside, Lake George, New York, where on August 3, 1880 the American Canoe Association was formed. William Alden was unanimously elected Commodore, and Nathaniel Bishop, Secretary-Treasurer." Other notable founding members include boat designers W. P. Stephens, and J. H. Rushton, publisher, Arthur Brentano, and Judge Nicholas Longworth.
The original objectives were little different from those of today's organization, namely to 'unite all persons interested in the use of canoes and kayaks for the purpose of pleasure, health, or exploration, by means of meetings for business; by camping, paddling, sailing and racing; by keeping details, drawings and dimensions of hulls and rigs, collection of maps, charts, books and photographs; and by cooperating with other organizations sponsoring canoeing programs and water sports.'
An Annual Meet and Encampment was agreed upon at the founding meeting, and this has continued to be a feature of the American Canoe Association's program. Both paddling and sailing races were to be held. The early meets, which ran from a few days to several weeks, moved from year to year, visiting Lake George, Long Island, the Hudson River, Lake Champlain, Cape Cod, the Thousand Islands and other points in Canada.
In 1903 the Association purchased Sugar Island (officially St. Lawrence Island), a 38-acre island in the Thousand Islands three miles offshore from Gananoque, Ontario, Canada, and with only one exception the Annual Meets have been held there continuously ever since.
The ACA is organized regionally into nine divisions, the ninth comprising Canada. Each division is headed by a Vice-Commodore, and he with his Executive Committee is responsible for developing interest in, and furthering all branches of the canoeing sport in his region.
Five branches of the canoeing sport are currently recognized: canoe sailing, racing-paddling, slalom and white water racing, cruising and conservation. By far the largest numbers of canoeists in the United States are cruising enthusiasts; they provide the natural source of contestants for the slalom and white water competitive events.
Flatwater racing and sailing, which require somewhat more specialized skills and equipment, are extensions of the sport appealing to those who wish to devote more time to their perfection.
Each of the five activities of the American Canoe Association is organized under the leadership of a national chairman; with him the corresponding divisional chairmen in each activity comprise the national committee. They promulgate local divisional and national championship races in each competitive branch of the sport and take the leadership in expanding participation therein by demonstrations, instruction, and various informational and publicity endeavors.
The American Canoe Association is a member of the International Canoe Federation and is recognized by the latter as governing the competitive branches of the sport in the United States. The ACA is also affiliated with the Amateur Athletic Union of the United States, and is a member of the United States Olympic Committee.
R. I. Wilkinson, December 8, 1961
Sources of the Collection
The ACA collection is comprised of the collected papers of three men, Walwin Barr, William Beute and Roger I. Wilkinson. It would then be beneficial to know a little background about each man to get an understanding of their connection with the American Canoe Association and canoeing in general.
Walwin "Charlie" Barr, a member of the Atlantic Division, was Commodore of the American Canoe Association in 1929. Following that position, he also served as Chairman of the Board of Governors.
William Beute, also a member of the Atlantic Division, held a variety of positions including secretary of United States Olympic Canoeing Committee, member of the U. S. Olympic Canoe and Kayak Committee, chairmen of National Paddling Committee of A.C.A., member of the U. S. Olympic Trials for Canoeing Organizing Committee as well as Editor of "American Canoeist" (1964-1965).
The largest portion of papers in this collection were collected by Roger Wilkinson (RIW). A member of the Atlantic Division, Wilkinson also served as Rear Commodore (1941) and Vice Commodore (1942-1943) of the Atlantic Division. Within the American Canoe Association he served as associated editor of the "American Canoeist," Chairman of the A.C.A. Archives Committee, member of the General Sailing Committee (1938-1939), and Commodore (1960-1961). Outside A.C.A., he was an organizer of the Associated Canoe Clubs of Sheepshead Bay and their first commodore (1932), as well as commodore of the Holmdel Boating Club. Wilkinson was an employee at Bell Telephone Laboratories and served in the Air Force in the Pacific during World War II.
Extent
43 box(es)
8 volume(s)
Arrangement
This collection has been accessioned from various sources and processed over an extensive period of time. The two prominent sources for the collection came from American Canoe Association members Roger Wilkinson and William Beute. Whenever possible there was an attempt to maintain original organization, but where organization was lacking, the papers were integrated into chronological and or alphabetical subject order. Therefore the arrangement of the collection varies. The description following describes the logic behind the arrangement for each main series.
Correspondence
The correspondence of this collection that is not readily associated with another subject can be found in the first six boxes of the collection. The correspondence is arranged according to the prominent correspondent and or collector. The correspondents can be found in overall chronological order; Walwin Barr correspondence (1900-1978), Roger Wilkinson (1932-1983), Edward Bean (1935-1938), and William Beute (1955-1970). The correspondence of Walwin Barr, Roger Wilkinson, and Edward Bean are arranged chronologically and are of general correspondence except for a few folders that correspond to a specific subject matter. Original organization has been maintained for William Beute's correspondence; therefore it is arranged alphabetically by correspondent. Although all of these papers are primarily about the American Canoe Association, or some discussion of canoeing, it may also contain more personal correspondence of the correspondents.
General Business papers
The general business papers of the A.C.A., which can be found in boxes 7 through 11, include any papers associated with the Board of Governors, the Executive Committee, and the annual meetings (sometimes referred to as Congress). The papers associated with these subjects are fully integrated, except for the first two folders in this series which has previously been in a three ring binder as well as a few folders which were previously been separated either in the original organization or over the extensive processing time. These papers are arranged chronologically and include a separate undated miscellaneous folder depending on if the material had been collected by either the William Beute or the Roger Wilkinson. Maintaining original organization, folders associated with the period of A.C.A. reorganization (1968-1971) and other important miscellaneous material such as applications, revisions to the constitution and by-laws, published minutes and other reports and the A.C.A. yearbooks are separated further into two sub series; A.C.A. reorganization and miscellaneous. The reorganization papers are arranged chronologically where as the miscellaneous is arranged alphabetically by subject matter.
Divisions
The American Canoe Association is organized regionally into divisions. Each division is headed by a Vice-Commodore, who works along side with his Executive Committee. The divisions are responsible for developing and furthering the various types of canoeing: sailing, paddling, and slalom, in their region. The boarders of the divisions of the A.C.A. have evolved over time. For example due to the definition of the Central Division, which includes all the states in the United States that are not included in another division whenever a new division is added or redefined, the Central Division is also reorganized. The papers in this section have been divided according to division but since they cover such an extensive period of time the boarders of the divisions might have changed. For a rough example of what geographical regions are included in the divisions see tables below.
Based from June 1955 A.C.A. constitution revision (changing some of the definitions of the boarders to state regions rather than use of extensive description of bodies of water)
| Atlantic Division | Southern New York State, Northern New Jersey, and areas close to New York City |
| Central Division | All of the U.S. less the areas included in the Atlantic, Dixie, Eastern, Middle States, Pacific, Rocky Mountain and Western Divisions |
| Dixie Division | Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee |
| Eastern Division | Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, except for Berkshire County, Massachusetts |
| Middle States Division | Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, Virginia, West Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, and Washington D. C. |
| Northern Division | All of Canada |
| Pacific Division | Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, and Arizona |
| Rocky Mountain Division | New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, and Montana |
| Western Division | Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Kentucky, Nebraska, Iowa, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. |
| Abroad | All members who reside outside the United States (exempt Canada) |
| Atlantic | Southern New York and Northern New Jersey |
| Delaware Valley | Portions of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania forming the Delaware River Watershed |
| Dixie | Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Kentucky |
| Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Middle States | Eastern Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C. and Delaware |
| Midwest | Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin |
| New England | Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhodes Island, and New Hampshire |
| Northern | All of Canada |
| Northern New York | All of New York, except extreme southeastern portion |
| Northwest | Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington |
| Ohio-Penn | Western Pennsylvania, and Ohio |
| Pacific | Arizona, California, and Nevada |
| Red River | Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas |
| Rocky Mountain | Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming |
National Paddling Committee
Two of the largest national committees of the A.C.A., are paddling and sailing. Based from the papers in the collection, originally the two committees were joined under the name of the Racing Board, each with it own division; Paddling and Sailing. Due to the fact that the collection contains more papers related to the Sailing Division, all of the Racing Board papers can be found in the next series; National Sailing Committee, which might contain some Paddling Division papers. Some time in the summer of 1939, the two committees became the National Paddling and National Sailing Committees. The National Paddling Committee series, boxes 15 through 18, is arranged chronologically beginning with the committee's news bulletins, papers which includes some folders of correspondence, and other miscellaneous related material. The directly related miscellaneous material contains papers on the National Paddling Championships, National Canoe Racing Championships, North American Canoe Racing Championships, schedule and races from various races, as well as the Olympic Development Program. Any other papers associated with canoe paddling may be found in the general paddling papers series.
National Sailing Committee
The National Sailing Committee, which has evolved from the Racing Board, Sailing Division, and the General Sailing Committee (ca. 1929-1939), promotes sailing activities on the national level. The National Sailing Committee series, boxes 19 through 21, begins with all Racing Board papers, which as mentioned above may include some Paddling Division papers as well as Sailing Division; following with papers of the General and National Sailing Committee papers; the National Sailing Championships papers and miscellaneous Sailing Committee papers. The National Sailing Committee series is arranged chronologically. Any other papers related to canoe sailing, such as notes or articles, can be found in the general sailing papers series.
Publications
The American Canoe Association over the years has been dedicated to the spread of knowledge about their sport. To that end, numerous published materials have been spread by the hands of the A.C.A. to members and nonmembers alike. The Publication series, box 22, contains papers related to the publications of the American Canoeist, and "Canoe" Magazine, as well as general canoeing information that the American Canoe Association either sold or used in educational programs, including constructional drawings of canoes and monographs of a variety of canoeing subjects such as camping, cooking, good canoeing trails and new canoe rigs as well as A.C.A. publicity pamphlets. Due to the fact that most of the papers in this series are not dated, this series is arranged alphabetically by subject.
Sugar Island and the Annual Meet
A.C.A. has hosted an annual meet since its conception, for camping, competition and camaraderie between canoeists. Starting in 1903 that meet has been held on Sugar Island, officially known as St. Lawrence Island in the Thousand Islands three miles offshore from Gananoque, Ontario, Canada. The camp is usually held, on the 38-acre island, in August for up to two weeks. This series, boxes 23, is arranged alphabetically by genre and where possible chronologically beginning with charts of Sugar Island, circulars of the annual meets, papers and then distinctive miscellaneous papers such as the Fire Protection Report for Sugar Island and an article about A.C.A.'s National Encampment.
The rest of the collection has been arranged by subject matter. This includes subjects include amateurism, canoe types, clubs, the International Canoe Federation, the Olympics and U. S. Olympic committee, youth training programs and miscellaneous. The following subjects are in alphabetical order.
Amateurism
This box of material, which had been set apart from other materials either by one of the donors or during processing, contains papers regarding the subject of defining amateurism. The papers are arranged chronologically and are primarily about specific subjects, for instance the question of amateurism vs. professionalism for the individuals Clyde Jones and Tom Johnson as well as the report of the National Advisory Committee regarding the subject of amateurs.
Canoe types
Paddling
This series, found in box 25, includes papers related to paddling but not necessarily to the National Paddling Committee. The papers are arranged chronologically and include the President's Cup Regatta, Christmas Paddling Clinic as well as miscellaneous paddling papers.
Sailing
General sailing papers can be found in boxes 25 and 26. The papers include sailing canoe sketches and notes, general sailing papers, and chronological miscellaneous papers such as articles or papers regarding class "C" canoes.
Slalom/white water
This series, found in boxes 26 and 27, includes all papers related to Slalom/white water canoeing. It is arranged chronologically except for one folder in which had been separated apart, again by either its donor or in the collection's extensive arrangement period, as the National Slalom Committee papers. This does not mean however that this folder is the only source for the National Slalom Committee papers. Other papers regarding this subject might be found in the general Slalom/white water papers.
General canoeing
This series, in box 27, contains papers that are not readily associated with one type of canoeing. Subjects included in this series include canoe tilting, Kayel canoe designs, and war canoes. The series is arranged alphabetically.
Clubs
Associated Canoe Clubs of Sheepshead Bay
The Associated Canoe Clubs of Sheepshead Bay (A.C.C.S.B.) has its own series, out of alphabetical order, do to the fact that Roger Wilkinson had preserved many of its documents. This material can be found in box 28. Originally most of this material found in this box had been kept in three ring binders. Although the papers have been removed from these binders for better preservation, the original order was maintained. This explains why many of the folders overlap each other in description, content and chronology. The only instance where the material was changed from its original order is in folders 8 and 9. The bulkiness of the material was too much to house in one folder so it has been divided in half.
General Clubs
One of the important aspects of the A.C.A. is its canoe clubs. As of 2002, over 200 local paddling clubs are associated with the A.C.A. Boxes 29 through 31, is dedicated to all papers associated with canoe clubs or associations, except for A.C.C.S.B. These papers include newsletters, ephemera, and papers related to regattas and competitions held by various clubs. The clubs are arranged in alphabetical order.
International Canoe Federation
The popularity of canoeing did not just remain in Britain and the United States. On January 20, 1924 Austrian, Danish, German and Swedish Canoe Associations founded the Internationale Repräsentantschaft Für Kanusport (I. R. K.) in Copenhagen. The organization continued to expand, with new country members joining, including the American Canoe Association. The Congress held in Stockholm from 7th to 10th June, 1946 decided that the Federation be called the International Canoe Federation (I.C.F.). I.C.F. has similar goals to the A.C.A. but on an international level. Its main goals were to 1. To form a link between the Canoeing Associations of the various countries. 2. As far as possible, to organize international competitions in paddling and sailing, once a year, and alternately in the various countries. 3. To promote and foster foreign touring through production of appropriate river guides, and through the provision of in programs about the possibilities of finding accommodation and places of interest. 4. To introduce on maps, internationally recognized symbols for rivers, in order to facilitate touring. 5. To exchange Canoeing in programs by mutually making available the various national publications on Canoeing: through the preparation of lectures and speakers, films and photographs, as well as through correspondence.
The I.C.F. is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), and the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations (ASOIF), as the sole controlling body for international canoeing.
The I.C.F. series can be found boxes 32 through 37 and is comprised of I.C.F. bulletins, correspondence, and papers of the Board of Management and Congress. Following the general papers of the I.C.F. are papers related to specific committees such as Paddling, Sailing, Slalom, Sports Medicine, and Touring. All of these papers are arranged chronologically.
Olympics and United States Olympic Committee
The American Canoe Association is a member of the United States Olympic Committee in which they help plan for canoeing, kayaking, and slalom events for the Olympics. Events for canoeing and kayaking have been in the Olympics since the 1936 games in Berlin. Papers related to the Olympic and United States Olympic Committee series primarily cover the games in 1960 to 1976 and can be found in boxes 38 through 42. The papers include minutes and reports of the U. S. O. C., correspondence and notes related to forthcoming Olympics, trials or fund raising for U. S. canoeing team, as well as ephemera and race results from Olympic games. More specific papers related to U. S. O. C. committees, the constitution, proposals, membership lists, or newsletters can be found in a miscellaneous series in alphabetically by subject and then chronologically. Due to the fact that the United States Olympic Committee also planned and scheduled the Pan American Games, papers associated with these games can be found disbursed throughout the Olympic and U. S. O. C. series. Often at the Quadrennial or Biennial meetings both the Olympics and Pan American Games were discussed. Various undefined papers relating to the Pan American Games can also be found in its own folder in the miscellaneous section, as well as a small series of the Pan Pacific Games.
Youth Training and Boy Scouts of America
The American Canoe Association has been involved in training youth in order to expand and preserve canoeing competition. Papers related to this include youth camps, Boy Scouts of America, as well as correspondence and planning for general youth training programs. This series can be found in box 43.
Miscellaneous
Materials that are not easily associated with previous series have been placed in this miscellaneous series. This assortment of papers are arranged into three different categories; brochures, catalogs, etc. related to canoes and canoe supplies; personal papers of the collectors, Walwin Barr, William Beute, and Roger I. Wilkinson; and general miscellaneous papers. In each case the material is arranged alphabetically.
Volumes
The eight volumes of this collection primarily are related to the first thirty years of the American Canoe Association. Volumes include, membership lists, minute and record books. There is also a record book of the Associated Canoe Clubs of Sheepshead Bay and a record book labeled as "Cruises and references," which is cruise log of bodies of water and A.C.A. members' addresses.
For more information on the organization of the American Canoe Association, see Hoffmann, Ronald C. "The History of the American Canoe Association, 1880-1960" Ph. D. diss., Springfield College, 1967. (GV 785 A6 H6)
For more information on the organization of the International Canoe Federation see, Vesper, Hans Egon, 50 Years of the International Canoe Federation International Canoe Federation, Florence, [1984]. (GV 785 I5 V4.7)
American Canoe Association website http://www.acanet.org/
International Canoe Federation website http://www.canoeicf.com/ page http://www.canoeicf.com/structure/history.htm 7/24/2003
- Title
- American Canoe Association Collection (Coll. 291)
- Subtitle
- An Inventory of Records at the G.W. Blunt White Library, Mystic Seaport
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Manuscripts Repository
G. W. Blunt White Library
Mystic Seaport Museum, Inc.
112 Greenmanville Avenue
Mystic CT 06355 United States
860.572.5367
collections@mysticseaport.org