A Short History of Princeton's Rowing Facilities

William Allen Butler and the Butler Award

William Allen Butler was a founder and the initial president of what is now the Princeton University Rowing Association. A bronze plaque in his memory pointing the path to the boathouse is embedded in the sidewalk near Patton Hall.

THIS PATH
TO THE BOATHOUSE

---

IS DEDICATED BY
HIS CLASSMATES AND FRIENDS
TO THE MEMORY OF
WILLIAM ALLEN BUTLER ’76
ACTIVE IN ERECTING THE FIRST BOATHOUSE ON THE CANAL 1874
TRUSTEE OF CARNEGIE LAKE ASSOCIATION 1906-1923 & PRESIDENT 1921-1923
CHAIRMAN OF THE UNIVERSITY ROWING COMMITTEE 1910-1920
THE FATHER OF ROWING IN
PRINCETON

Butler Award

In its February 1997 meeting, the PURA trustees voted to create an award to recognize long-term contribution to Princeton rowing. Named the Butler Award, the PURA's highest recognition is inspired by Howard Russell Butler 1876 and William Allen Butler 1876, builders of Lake Carnegie and the PURA, whose perseverance, leadership and foresight resurrected rowing at Princeton.

[Return to Intro...]

Return to the main page...