Women on the Water

Women’s Museum of California
Liberty Station
San Diego
December 1, 2016

We attended a reception and preview showing of the new exhibition Women on the Water at the Women’s Museum. The exhibition will run through January 29, 2017. The exhibit celebrates women on the water in San Diego, both sailing and rowing. A large part of the story on display celebrates the history of ZLAC Rowing Club. Founded in 1892, the club is the oldest continuously existing women’s rowing club in the world. Club documents and artifacts are displayed at the museum. Also featured are the women of the America 3 sailing team, and the San Diego Yacht Club.

The ZLAC items on display were selected and organized by ZLAC volunteers Carolyn Thomasson and Arline Whited, in consultation with the museum curator. The ZLAC Foundation paid for production of the posters explaining the club’s history. (ZLAC is near and dear to our hearts. Our daughters rowed there. Meredith is a current member and past president of the club, and is active with the ZLAC Foundation as well.)

Most of the museum space is a single gallery which features changing temporary exhibitions. Earlier this year, for instance, there was an exhibition entitled Rocking the Political Boat, about feminism in the 1960’s and 70’s. There is also a smaller section of the museum with an exhibition about the history of women’s suffrage, Marching Toward Empowerment.

The museum is in the Liberty Station area of San Diego. This area was formerly the Naval Training Center and has been repurposed as a development with museums, restaurants, shopping, and housing. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 12 to 4. Wheelchair access is good. Admission is $5, $3 for students and seniors. Parking is free.