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"Humane Society" adn a skating rink? The Humane Society of Philadelphia, patterned after the Royal Humane Society of London, was organized in 1770 to perform rescue work now done by modern police forces.
On December 21, 1849, some gentlemen who enjoyed skating on the frozen rivers and lakes of the Philadelphia area met at Sigman's Hotel, on George Street (now Sansom) above Sixth Street, and launched the first skating club in North America. It was called "The Skater's Club of the City and County of Philadelphia."
The club aimed to intruct in the art of skating, cultivate a friendly feeling in all who participated in the amusement of skating and use efficiently proper apparatus for the rescue of persons breaking through the ice. Skating on rivers, such as the Schuylkill, entailed risk, indeed. Club members were required to wear the club badge, a small silver skate which is still our insignia, and to carry a reel of stout twine, which could be thrown to a helpless skater. Both provisions apply today to members skating outdoors. Minutes were kept with magnificent regularity, and detail many an exciting rescue. From its inception, the club was both a gentlemen's sporting club and a humanitarian group.
Fast forward when the Society ceased to function, its assets were acquired by Pennsylvania Hospital and it was acquired by the Skaters Club of the City and County of Philadelphia. On February 28, 1861, by special act of the General Assembly, approved by the Governor, The Skaters Club of Philadelphia became The Philadelphia Skating Club and Humane Society and acquired a charter of incorporation. On the day before, February 27, 1861, the flag was run up for the first time on the pole at the new clubhouse built in Fairmount Park on the east bank of the Schuylkill River. Until about 1895, skating on the river was popular and the river clubhouse was the scene of much activity.
At the turn of the century, the changing weather and continuing disagreement with the ice companies (who wanted to cut the best ice), with boat captains and with the Fairmount Park Commissioners led to a low period in skating interest and club finances.
However, in 1901 Thomas W. Marchmont, President from 1870-1900, greatly benefited the Club by bequest of his estate. Around 1908, C. Stanley Rogers, who had been a member of the Club, became an enthusiastic and skilled exponent of the International style of skating and did much for the next twenty years to revive interest in skating.
Finally, the development of artificially frozen indoor rinks hastened the demise of river skating and offered exciting new possibilities. Members investigated various plans for rinks in different parts of the city, but without success until completion in 1919 of the Philadelphia Ice Palace, or Arena, at 45th and Market Streets.
There, the Club agreed to form a skating class, for twenty sessions, which proved so popular that each year it grew larger and more zealous. The first carnival was held in 1920 and a competition, "International Figure Skating Championships of America," was hosted in 1921. The USFSA was just getting underway, and children's classes were begun. The Club hosted the United States Figure Skating Association National Championships in 1924 and 1934.
As the numbers of skaters grew, demand rose for a new rink although no privately owned skating club in the U.S. had as yet accomplished this. In 1937, the Club bought from Haverford College land for the Ardmore rink and water rights to the stream nearby. Architect E. Nelson Edwards, a Club member, used a reinforced concrete shell roof, known as the Z.D. System, new in the country. The lounge with its furnishings was presented to the Club by the 7th President, Edgar S. McKaig, and his family. The rink was financed by the sale of bonds to members and friends. It opened on January 8, 1938. The following month, the Club hosted the National Championships. A major revision of the By-Laws in 1939, occasioned by the greatly increased membership at the Ardmore rink, created a Board of Governors for the active conduct of the Club's affairs.
During the over 60 years since the move to Ardmore, PSC & HS membership has grown to the present total of approximately 1,000 members. The organization of the Junior Club has changed to some extent. Whereas until 1945 local schools rented ice in the afternoon, since that time, the Junior Club Committee has used the afternoons for our own young skating members in various sessions grouped by ability.
All PSC & HS skating members are also members of the United States Figure Skating Association. Many of our members have taken active roles in the Association.
In 1941 and 1949, we held the North American Championships. Between 1923 and 1945, Club members held 16 national titles. Since then, we have had four national title holders. Our two most famous competitors are Dick Button, who was National Novice, Junior and Senior Champion, and then North American, European, World and Olympic Champion and Scott Hamilton, National, World and Olympic Champion.
Until 1964, the date of the 41st and last big carnival, amateur shows were an important part of nearly every skating season at PSC & HS as well as almost all other skating clubs. They set the pattern, long followed by the professional touring shows, which began in the '40s. Distinguished guests from Europe and Canada, as well as cities in the US, were invited to perform, adding interest and variety to the programs. Sonja Henie appeared in three of our carnivals. Many members of the Club, such as the Philadelphia Twelve dance number, were featured additions in neighboring ice shows as well as in our own. The demands on members' time and growth of professional shows ended our carnivals.
Since 1964, Saturday Tea programs have given exhibition opportunities to our own and area skaters and enjoyment to spectators. 1985 saw the formation of the Precision Team (The Philadelphia Scribes), and once again the fun of group skating is being shared.
The history of the Club is really a history of people, many of whom have spent untold amounts of time, energy and money on its preservation and promotion. The vision and determination of numerous individuals from the original members of the Skater's Club to the present participants at PSC & HS have enabled us all to enjoy our own skating and to become stewards for the skaters of the future.
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