Antique of the Month - A rowing oar, c. 1920, from the private college of Worcester in England

This month’s Antique of the Month from the Historic Johanna Brotch House is a rowing oar from the private college of Worcester in England that was used during a commemorative post-World War I reunion race.  Worcester is one of the “constituent colleges” that make up Oxford University.  

     After the race this oar was painted with the emblem of the university and the names of the rowing team members from the boat it was used on during the race.  Note that at that time England used the weight measurement of “stones” instead of “pounds.”  Because the oar displays the rowers weight in stone next to their names, this can be better understood for us by knowing the conversion rate is “1 stone = 14 pounds.”  

     It is missing the end handle, but otherwise intact.  The beautiful oak woodwork is typical of England and compliments the blue painted end that was in the water.  

     I don’t know much about how it was saved but because of me it found its way to the USA and Bay View.  In a future “Antique of the Month” I will show you the rowing seats from other English colleges that I acquired that match this oar’s time period (the 1920s).  I have these hanging on my dining room wall opposite this oar you see which is also displayed in my dining room though its huge size finds it placed above the longest wall so it will fit.  

     I hope you will enjoy these photos of this classic antique rowing oar!