To view a preview of what’s to come in 2021, click through the slideshow below!
If you’re on mobile, you can scroll to the lower right of the presentation to make it full screen, or click here, then swipe to navigate.
Author: GusKasper
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20% off Artisan & Books at the Virtual Holiday Marketplace
The museum’s seventh annual Annual Holiday Marketplace is currently taking place virtually at semholidaymarket.org.
From now until the Holiday Marketplace closes at midnight on Dec 7th, enjoy 20% off Artisan goods with code TAKE20 at checkout. You will also find great items from our gift shop and christmas shop at 40% off. Items are getting low in stock and going fast, so be sure to (virtually) stop by- don’t wait!
Take advantage of these amazing deals and receive a free gift when you spend over $50. Spend $100 and receive free shipping.
As always, thank you for your support and be sure to visit semholidaymarket.org!
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Steamboat Era Museum Launches Spring Campaign with a Community Partner
The Covid 19 virus has affected everyone. The museum had to cancel a scheduled spring fundraising event and is not sure when it will open for the 2020 season. We need your continued support to make sure we have the operating funds to keep the lights on and to provide needed upkeep for our exhibits. To help make up for those lost funds.
The spring fundraising campaign will run from May 15-June 30. 20% of all monies raised during the campaign will be donated to the Boys & Girls Club of the Northern Neck’s meals program.
By donating to the campaign, you will not only support the museum during ths difficult time, but you will also be helping the Boys and Girls Club continue serving weekly meals and snacks to 226 area children. We are truly all in this together.
To donate please visit our Donate page or send a check to SEM PO Box 132 Irvington, VA 22480 .
Photo: Boys & Girls Club members join other children at a museum 2019 Friday morning Kids’ activity led by museum volunteer Zan Gifford.
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Spring Fashion Show Postponed
This event has been postponed until later in the Spring. Thank you for supporting the Steamboat Era Museum!
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The Steamboat Era Museum Publishes New Book
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.
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2019 Annual Appeal Underway
WE DID IT!The Potomac Pilothouse is Home!
On May 29 the pilothouse was lifted above the museum and entered the exhibition hall through the back wall. By opening day, June 11, the museum was painted, carpet was laid and new exhibits were hung.The 2019 season’s attendance was larger then ever before, as we continued to refine exhibits and shipwright John Morgenthaler worked on the interior of the wheelhouse.
BUT…
we need your continued support to make sure we have the operating funds to keep the lights on and to provide needed upkeep for our exhibits. In addition the outside of the building is being painted for the first time in 15 years!Because of your past support, you can now step into the Potomac Pilothouse and take the wheel, get to know Hansford Bayton (an African-American steamboat captain), view the last flag flown on the steamer Potomac, and more! The Museum is committed to accept, integrate, and display new artifacts. We continue to focus on new ways to learn about our steamboat heritage and have fun doing it!
The Museum’s Board of Directors and Friends of the Museum have issued a $10,000 dollar-for-dollar challenge match to help make 2020 a secure year for the museum! Together we can ensure that the museum thrives for many years to come. DONATE NOW!
PS When you shop at Amazon this holiday season, please visit smile.amazon.com and choose the Steamboat Era Museum as your charity. Every time you make a purchase, Amazon will donate .05% of your total to the Museum! All products and prices are the same on Amazon and Amazon Smile! So look for the smile and support the Museum!
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Sixth Annual Holiday Marketplace
The museum’s sixth annual Annual Holiday Marketplace will take place at the museum on Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30 from 10am-4pm. Jewelry, fiber, books, oyster art, wooden toys and more will be displayed.
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.A Christmas ornament of the steamer Potomac, individual tins of white, milk and dark chocolate with photos from the museum’s collection and the “Northern Neck” poster applied to wood and offered as a sign, postcard, journal and magnet will be included in the collection of unique gifts Past year’s popular holiday gifts including a vintage style map of the Chesapeake Bay showing steamboat ports presented on a 72” x30” scarf and small ceramic watermen’s boots, including paints, will return to the Marketplace.
A silent auction including artisans’ work, posters and other fun pieces will run the first two days of the Marketplace and will end at 4pm on Saturday, Nov 30.
The Marketplace will also be open on Saturday December 7, 14 and 21 from 10am-4pm. It takes place at the museum which is located at 156 King Carter Drive, Irvington. Proceeds support the museum.
For further information please call the museum at 438-6888.
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August 8 is the Last Day to Purchase Irvington Crab Festival Tickets
Don’t miss the best crab festival of the season. Purchase your tickets by August 8. Tickets will not be sold at the door.
In addition to steamed crabs, music and fun there will be a silent auction including a beautiful silver bracelet from Burkes Fine Jewelers, a gift bag full of treats from the Dandelion, a painted portrait of your dog, gift certificates from local businesses, the popular framed “Northern Neck” poster and more. The silent auction is open to festival ticket holders only. The museum will be open and free during the event so you see the Potomac Pilothouse and new exhibits and purchase items from our gift shop! The silent auction will be located in the museum.
The Eight Annual Irvington Crab Festival will take place Saturday evening August 10.
under the tent on the Irvington Commons. It is the BEST crab festival on the Northern Neck. Doors open at 4pm and crabs, furnished by Crabs Express, are served at 5pm. Barbecue, hot dogs & soft drinks are included. Beer and wine are available for purchase.Tickets are sold out for the event!
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WCVE Virginia Currents tells the story of the Pilothouse
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:Click Here for a link to the story on Virginia Currents.
