A Century-Old Treasure: Trudy Ederle's Original Scrapbook Joins the ISHOF
Trudy Ederle's original scrapbook joins the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
Trudy Ederle Foundation · July 7, 2026
Bruce Wigo and Mary Ward, née Ederle, at the handover of the Ederle family's century-old treasure (5 June 2026). — Photo courtesy of the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
At a glance
Handover — Jun 5, 2026 · Mary Ederle Ward → ISHOF
The crossing — Aug 6, 1926 · first woman across the Channel
Swim time — 14 hr 34 min · ≈ 2 hrs under the men's record
Centennial — Aug 6, 2026 · 100th anniversary
GLEN ROCK, N.J., June 5, 2026 — The family of Gertrude "Trudy" Ederle has donated her original scrapbook — a black leather-bound album of more than 300 pages holding over 1,500 historical clippings — to the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF).
On June 5, Mary Ederle Ward presented the album to ISHOF Historian Bruce Wigo, the institution's longtime president and CEO (2005–2017), who received it in person with his wife, Janet. The couple traveled from Florida for the occasion.
The large-format album bears a gold-embossed inscription: "Gertrude 'Trudy' Ederle — World's Champion Swimmer — Conqueror of the English Channel — August 6, 1926."
On Aug. 6, 1926, Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel — a 20-year-old New Yorker who was, for a time, the most famous woman in the world.
Her time: 14 hours, 34 minutes — roughly two hours faster than the men's record of the day.
The Trudy Ederle Foundation (TEF) has digitized the scrapbook for the Trudy Ederle Digital Learning Archive, a public resource now in development. For nearly a century the family had kept the album in private hands; it now joins the world's leading institution for the heritage of swimming.
"This scrapbook is much more than a family album. It is a direct witness to a moment that changed swimming, women's sport, and the world's understanding of female athletic achievement forever. To preserve this document at ISHOF and make it accessible to the public is a meaningful moment for the entire swimming community."
— Bruce Wigo, ISHOF Historian
"The family entrusting this treasure to ISHOF is more than a gift. It is a promise to the future: Trudy's story belongs to the world. Together with ISHOF, we can help ensure that this story is not only remembered, but understood anew — as heritage, as inspiration, and as a call to action."
— Tobias Kolesnyk, Director Strategic Communication, Trudy Ederle Foundation
Next Steps. Further details about a future public presentation of the scrapbook, and activities around the centennial on Aug. 6, 2026, will be announced later.
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About the International Swimming Hall of Fame
The International Swimming Hall of Fame preserves and honors the history of international swimming and celebrates outstanding athletes, coaches, contributors, institutions, and personalities who have shaped the sport around the world.
About the Trudy Ederle Foundation
The Trudy Ederle Foundation preserves the legacy of Gertrude "Trudy" Ederle — heritage as a mission, not a retrospective. Through its guiding mission, the "Second Channel," it supports athletes in their transition from competitive sport to the life that follows. In 2026, the Foundation marks the 100th anniversary of Trudy's Channel crossing of 6 August 1926.
Media Contacts
International Swimming Hall of Fame — Meg Keller-Marvin — meg@ishof.org — +1 570 594 4367
