The 6,400 lights that outline the architecture of Philadelphia’s historic boathouses can glow in 16 million color combinations. On February 28, they’ll light up in the official colors of Rare Disease Day: pink, green, blue and purple.
CSL, whose King of Prussia campus is nearby, has been sponsoring the lights annually to raise awareness about the 300 million people across the world who live with 10,000 known rare diseases. The global biopharma company develops and manufactures medicines for a number of rare diseases, including primary immunodeficiency, hemophilia and hereditary angioedema.
Landmarks around the world, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Tokyo Tower and the Empire State Building, have previously been part of the Global Chain of Lights on Rare Disease Day. This year, CSL is also planning a Rare Disease Day light-up display in Marburg, Germany, near its facility there. In Philadelphia, the Boathouse Row lights reflect on the Schuylkill River and can be easily seen from I-76, a heavily traveled roadway.
Boathouse Row holds a special place in Philadelphia history alongside the Schuylkill Navy of Philadelphia, an association of amateur rowing clubs that started building permanent boathouses in the 1850s. For rowers then and now, the boathouses serve the practical purpose of storing and protecting rowing shells. The Schuylkill River is home to regattas including the Dad Vail Regatta, the largest collegiate regatta in the United States.
The boathouses owe their architectural flair to the Fairmount Park Commission, which originally required them to be made of stone, and later architects who introduced brick and brought their own design influences. Today, the Fairmount Conservancy organizes the displays. You can follow the changing displays on Instagram.
