The Story of Hansford Bayton

On April 20, 2021 Barbara Brecher, former director of the Steamboat Era Museum, presented the story of Hansford Bayton, an African American steamboat captain and owner, to attendees at the 2021 annual meeting of the Council of American Maritime Museums (CAMM).

The meeting was originally scheduled to take place in April 2020 in Vancouver, BC but, because of Covid, was cancelled. The 2021 meeting took place virtually. CAMM requested proposals for the cancelled 2020 annual meeting and the museum’s Bayton proposal was accepted. One of the criteria for 2021 conference presentations was to: consider how maritime museums reach and relate to different audiences. Once again, the museum’s proposal was accepted. The exhibit about Captain Bayton is an example of how the Steamboat Era Museum is working to reach new and diverse audiences.

Brecher conducted a live presentation to the virtual conference audience. After a short presentation to explain the importance of the Steamboat Era to communities on the Chesapeake Bay, she showed a nine-minute video about Captain Bayton’s life and his struggles during the Jim Crow era in Virginia. After the presentation participants took part in a lively real-time question and answer session.

To learn about Captain Bayton’s life, visit the museum and listen to the captain tell his story through an interactive exhibit. The museum is open for the 2021 season. Spring hours in June are Thursday – Saturday & Monday 10-4, Sunday 1-4