The yacht club takes its name from
Ida Lewis, a lighthouse keeper of the
Lime Rock Light. She was known for her heroism and saving the lives of 18 persons during her 42 years as a lighthouse keeper. In the 1920s, the land where the Lime Rock light sits was sold to a group of sportsmen for $7,200 organized under the "Narragansett Bay Regatta Association." The club's first Commodore was
Arthur Curtiss James and the Vice Commodore was
Marion Eppley. Today the club operates seasonally, from May through October. It describes itself as a "family friendly" club, offering sailing courses for children of members and the community. The club's facilities, such as docks, launches, and clubhouse are reserved for the exclusive use of members and their guests.
Regattas The club hosts several races and regattas each year, including the 12 Metre North American Championships. In 2020, the Ida Lewis Yacht Club received
US Sailing's St. Petersburg Yacht Club Trophy for Excellence in Race Management for their stewardship of the 12 Metre World Championship Regatta. In August, the club hosts the Ida Lewis Distance Race, a 24-hour offshore race for different yacht classes. In 2024, 49 teams took part in the event. == Whitehouse diversity controversy ==