Our History

The Ida Lewis Yacht Club derives its name from the nationally famous daughter of the keeper of the Lime Rock Light on the southern side of Newport's inner harbor.

In the mid 1920s, all but a small piece of the Lime Rock, used by the Lighthouse Service for the light tower, was sold to the "Narragansett Bay Regatta Association." This was made up of a group of yachtsmen interested in preserving the now historic house, as well as creating a yacht club and landing for the excellent anchorage in Brenton Cove. In 1928 they officially organized under the name Ida Lewis Yacht Club. (ANSWER TO ILYC TRIVIA QUESTION:  $7,200 was paid for Ida Lewis Light House and all of Lime Rock, Per 'Keeper of Lime Rock' by Lenore Skomal)  This is listed in 1929 for the first time among Newport's clubs. The first Commodore was Arthur Curtiss James, owner of the auxiliary bark "Aloha." The Vice Commodore was Marion Eppley.

A wooden walkway was built to the Lime Rocks and the lighthouse, which became the Clubhouse. Ida lewis is perhaps the smallest major yacht club, but at times one of the busiest. Floats and ramps were built to accommodate tenders and sailing dinghies. The Clubhouse is attractively furnished, which makes up for its size. Before the New York Yacht Club had its Newport station at Harbor Court, the Ida Lewis Yacht Club offered its facilities as a station and the burgee of the New York Yacht Club flew on an auxiliary flag pole.

C. P. B.Jefferys*

Newport Historical Society

*C. P. Beauchamp ("Cham") Jefferys died on 18 February 1980 at the age of 82. He was during his lifetime an active, well-loved, and well-respected teacher, historian, and yachtsman who devotedly served the Ida Lewis Yacht Club for many years.