The MIT Sailing Pavilion - building 51 - was built in 1935 and was the first
facility constructed for college sailing. MIT's decision that year to provide
recreational sailing for
its student body was nothing short of revolutionary - up to then, college
sailing occurred largely only in social clubs for private boat owners. Walter
Cromwell “Jack” Wood '17, known as the “father of
intercollegiate sailing” was at the center of the creation of MIT's
sailing program in 1935 and remained as the sailing master of the pavilion for
27 years from 1935-1962. Wood went on to continue expanding the reach of
sailing after his time at MIT, running a community sailing program in Boston
funded by the Metropolitan District Commission.
Today, the pavilion has been renamed in Wood's honor and has undergone an
expansion and some
renovations, but much of the original 1935 pavilion remains. True to Wood's
vision, the pavilion is still home to the largest college recreational sailing
program in the United States. Besides hosting sailing teams from MIT, Brandeis,
Northeastern, and Wellesley and holding more college races than any other site
in the country, the pavilion is home to a fleet of over 100
sailboats available for students, staff, faculty, and alumni to enjoy on the
Charles.