Wissahickon Inn Prize Cup (USNLTA U.S. National Women's Singles Championship Challenge Trophy)

Footed cup with two tennis racquet shaped handles. Stem is a figure of woman holding the cup/bowl on her head. Inside of bowl is an engraved floral pattern with four points. Also engraved around inside lip of bowl. Engraved with the champions' names for years 1887-1898.

First presented to Ellen Hansell in 1887, this trophy was subsequently awarded to Bertha Townsend, Ellen Roosevelt, Mabel Cahill, Aline Terry, Helen Hellwig, Elisabeth Moore, before Juliette Atkinson won a third time, retiring the trophy in 1898.

The Philadelphia Cricket Club hosted the U.S. National Women’s Championships from 1887-1920. The first U.S. National Women’s Singles Championship was held in 1887 and featured seven participants. Played at the Philadelphia Cricket Club, this championship was an offshoot of the 1886 Chestnut Hill Tennis Club Ladies Open. A year later, the Wissahickon Inn offered the Wissahickon Cup as the prize. Ellen Hansell defeated Laura Knight, 6-1, 6-0. In 1891, Ireland’s Mabel Cahill became the first international player to win the championships. In 1920, the popularity of the event led it to join the men's event at the West Side TEnnis Club in Forest Hills, New York.