The Bernard-Hoover Boathouse is located in James Madison Park on the shores of Lake Mendota, the last extant building that represents the once-ubiquitous commercial boating industry in Madison. The exterior of the boathouse remains largely unchanged, with four large garage doors facing the lake on the first floor, used for boat storage and offices, and a residential unit and storage on the second floor.

German immigrant Charles Bernard began his fishing business at this site in 1855 and over time extended his operations into boat livery and pleasure cruises. In addition to building the steamboats that they operated, Bernard and his sons provided recreational excursions for tourists to resorts on other parts of the lake. They took further advantage of this market by buying land on the northeast shore of the lake in Woodward’s Grove and opening Bernard’s Pleasure Park, which featured picnic grounds, a refreshment stand, and a large dancing pavilion. At their peak, the Bernards operated six pleasure boats at one time.

The Bernard family owned and operated the boathouse until 1940, by which time automobiles had significantly cut down on their business. In 1943, the boats and boathouse was bought by Harry Hoover, who operated the business until 1968, when it was bought by the city of Madison to enlarge James Madison Park.

Now owned by the Mendota Rowing Club, the Bernard-Hoover Boathouse is a reminder of the boating industry in Madison, when people were dependent on the lakes for travel as well recreation.