Our History
Cambridge Yacht Club was founded in 1911 by Alfred I. du Pont and other prominent Cambridge residents who shared a passion for yachts and racing.
World War I caused the club to close temporarily in 1919, and it re-opened in 1933. The first clubhouse still stands on High Street, where the club operated until it moved to its current location in 1938.
Original Clubhouse
CYC’s first clubhouse was the Goldsborough mansion on High Street, with water access onto Cambridge Creek. That building still stands, and it is now a private residence.
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Original Cambridge Yacht Club building on High St
Early postcard of the original Cambridge Yacht Club on High St, Cambridge MD.
Original Yacht Club on High St
The original Cambridge Yacht Club was located on High Street. This postcard probably dates to 1915-1920. Love the outfits!
Dancing Pavilion
The Dancing Pavilion stood behind the clubhouse on High St. The original clubhouse is still there, but the pavilion is gone.
Award-Winning Clubhouse
In 1937, Frank du Pont funded the construction of the current clubhouse at the foot of Mill St, on the Choptank River.
The clubhouse was perhaps the first in the nation designed by a woman, Victorine du Pont Honsey, and the modern design won awards for its modern aesthetic modeled after the bridge of Alfred I. duPont‘s yacht, Alicia.
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A.I. DuPont’s Yacht, Alicia
A.I. DuPont’s Yacht Alicia was the inspiration for the clubhouse’s glass-enclosed “bullet”
A Legacy of Racing
Cambridge Yacht Club has been the home of racing on the Choptank River for over a century. Early in our history, powerboat racing was an exciting new pursuit for Cambridge’s elite. Races ran up and down the river, finishing at the Yacht Club’s new clubhouse at the foot of Mill Street. Over time, those races evolved into the current Cambridge Classic, which features sleek hydroplanes and throwback Jersey skiffs.
Sailors were attracted to the broad waters of the Choptank River, which has excellent sailing regardless of wind direction. Admiral Byrd was a regular patron of sailboat races in the 1940s, and the Club’s annual regatta now bears his name.
Our tradition of racing excellence continues to this day, and CYC is proud to host the Admiral Byrd Regatta, annual Log Canoe races, Wednesday Night Races, and our beloved Junior Sail Program.
2023 Flag

Trevor Carouge
Commodore

Graham Ward
Vice Commodore

Jackie Whisman
Rear Commodore

Kevin Diaz
Fleet Captain

Rev. Susan Leight
Fleet Chaplain
2023 Board of Governors

Rege Butler

Jo Chapman

John Donegan III

Tom Hannan

Tom Kranz

Teresa Troll

Bill Clyde
Immediate Past Commodore

Lorna Greene
Club Manager