The Steamboat Era Museum is proud to announce the publication of a new book “Steam-Driven:
How Steamboats Shaped the Future of Virginia’s Northern Neck.” The heavily illustrated coffee table book covers the Steamboat Era, the story of the steamer Potomac and the history and restoration of the Potomac Pilothouse. The 88 page hard-covered book is filled with photographs, newspaper articles and personal recollections of the era. There is a pictorial timeline of the restoration of the Pilothouse.
Readers will learn about the Weems family who redesigned their steamers so passengers could travel in luxury and style. Hansford Bayton, an African-American steamboat captain, who ran a successful business despite oppressive Jim Crow laws. The Dameron brothers who bought a small country store that they turned into a landmark. Plus generations of watermen, farmers and regular folks whose lives and livelihoods were enhanced by the advent of steam-driven vessels. These are quintessential American stories. Full of drama and adventure. Both inspiring and heart-breaking. About fortunes made and fortunes lost.
The book was made possible by grants from the River Counties Community Foundation and Chesapeake Bank. It was created and designed by Barbara Brecher, written by Shelly Ford and researched by Candee and Fred Pevahouse and Michael Geissinger.
“Steam-Driven: How Steamboats Shaped the Future of Virginia’s Northern Neck.” will be available exclusively at the Museum’s Holiday Marketplace November 29- 30 and Dec 7, 14 and 21, 10am-4pm and online here beginning November 29. It will cost $34.99.
WE DID IT!
The museum shop will be filled with new holiday gifts and decorations including free standing santas, jewelry, paper placemats, pillows, puzzles, hostess towels and cocktail napkins and unusual gifts.
Built in 1894, the 176-foot-long steamboat Potomac moved between Baltimore and Norfolk, making stops in the Northern Neck. For over 40 years, the Potomac and steamboats like it carried food, people and raw materials out of the Northern Neck and returned with a vast array of manufactured goods. Listen to the story below:
18 kids from Chesapeake Academy, Northern Neck YMCA and museum visitors make a wood steamboat as part of the regularly scheduled Friday morning kids’ activities at the museum. For more information please call. 438-6888
The Steamboat Era Museum held its 2019 Annual meeting on June 22. Members and guests explored the new exhibits in the museum including an interactive exhibit about Captain Bayton, an African-American steamboat captain/owner and a new display of the museum’s oral histories. Attendees were amazed by the 7 foot x 10 ft American flag which was the last flag to fly on the Potomac. In addition, new to the museum, are exhibits about Weems, Va, a sleepy town until steamboat brought prosperity and business and the Dameron Brothers who, because of steamboat, had a very successful country store and cannery. The Dameron family wedding dress first worn by the bride of Oscar Dameron in 1902 and then by three future generations is also on display.
Anne McClintock, a founder of the museum and granddaughter of Archie Long, the longest serving captain of the steamer Potomac, told the group that the installation of the Pilothouse was a longtime in coming and a dream come true for her and many others, some who are no longer with us but were instrumental in the founding of the museum.
