Steamboat Era Museum

Category: Events

  • Museum Publishes Expanded Edition of Against the Tide

    Museum Publishes Expanded Edition of Against the Tide

    Museum Publishes Expanded Edition of Against the Tide

    The Steamboat Era Museum is proud to announce the publication of a new edition of Against the Tide, the Turbulent Times of a Black Entrepreneur.  Readers will find additional illustrations, newspaper articles and more in this second edition of the book in which, Julie H. Sullivan tells the story of her great-grandfather, Captain H.C. Bayton (1863-1927).  Bayton was one of a very few African American steamboat captains who plied the waterways of the Chesapeake Bay during the Steamboat Era. 

    Through hard work and determination, Hansford C. Bayton rose from humble beginnings to become the captain and owner of two steamboats and two steam launches for excursions and mail delivery up and down the Rappahannock River during the late 1800s and early 1900s. He would acquire wealth and the respect of both blacks and whites. Nevertheless, his boats were burned one by one. But with each malicious burning, he would build again.

    This book illuminates a time in American history when the surge of progress made by freedmen was sharply curtailed through the enactment of segregation laws and the activities of the Ku Klux Klan. As a result, Hansford C. Bayton died poor, but his story is one of dignified courage and determination when faced with overwhelming odds. Truly, he was a man who swam against the tide.

    J.H. Sullivan, PhD, is the author of papers, two books, including Against the Tide, and is a full-time professor at Arizona State University, where she teaches healthcare ethics, community health and culture and health. She and her husband live in Scottsdale, AZ.

    The 140-page illustrated book includes a forward by Ambassador Andrew J. Young, Jr. Published by the Steamboat Era Museum, it is now available for pre-publication sale at 20% off the retail price through November 20. The retail cost of the hardcover version is $29.99 and the softcover version $19.99. Books bought through the pre-publication sale will be shipped near the end of November. The book can be ordered online at shop.SteamboatEraMuseum.org

    In addition to the book, the museum has mounted an interactive exhibit about Captain Bayton. Museum hours are Thursday, Friday and Monday 10am-4pm and Sunday from 1pm-4pm. It is located at 156 King Carter Drive, Irvington.

    PURCHASE THE BOOK

     

  • Family Holiday Weekend at the Steamboat Era Museum

    Family Holiday Weekend at the Steamboat Era Museum

    The Steamboat Era Museum is hosting special activities for children and families during the July
    Fourth Holiday Weekend.

    On Thursday, June 29, the museum will offer extended hours for a special viewing of the new exhibit Children’s Lives Around the Northern Neck: 1880’s to 1930’s. Visitors will learn about what schools were like from Caleb, Eleanor and Henry: how they traveled to school, what subjects they studied and the textbooks they used. Kids can write their names on a vintage slate board, see period McGuffey
    Readers and discover the art of penmanship. There are also plenty of stories about fun, games and mischief.

    The exhibit includes film clips of school children in the 1920’s-30’s captured by local resident James Wharton. Visitors will also hear the stories of Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, Sallie Holley and others who helped educate Black children during Jim Crow. Not to be missed: the rules teachers had to follow in 1915 and the “computer of the day,” the Chautauqua Industrial Art Scroll.

    Extended museum hours on Thursday, June 29, are 4-6 pm. Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.

     

    On June 29, our Friday morning children’s program takes place from 10:30 am to noon. Participants will learn about life during the Steamboat Era in the Northern Neck and Chesapeake Bay, including our new exhibit. Kids can step aboard the Potomac pilothouse and turn the wheel and ring the engine order telegraph bell. The group will play children’s games popular during the Steamboat Era.

    Attendees will also make a wooden steamboat and test its buoyancy in the water. The fee is $5 per child. Adult(s) are admitted free for the tours. To make a reservation, call the museum at 804-438-6888.

     

    On Saturday, July 1, Edie Hemingway will be signing her new book, That Smudge of Smoke, from 10am to 3pm. Spanning 1929 through 2015, this middle grade novel tells the story of two 12-year-old children and how they navigate major changes in their lives. It is a multi-generational story of hope, friendship, family and of the far-reaching influence of history and music. Edie Hemingway is the co-author of two Civil War novels. Her middle grade novel, Road to Tater Hill won a Parents’ Choice Gold Award.

    That Smudge of Smoke is available in softbound and hardbound formats. Each book at this event will be imprinted with “Museum Edition.”

  • Book Debut at the Steamboat Era Museum July 1

    Book Debut at the Steamboat Era Museum July 1

    July 1, 2023, Book Debut at the Steamboat Era Museum 

    A cover for the book "That Smudge of Smoke" three images, a steamboat, a little girl writing, and a young man playing a woodwind instrument against a waterside backdrop blend together to form a lively children's book cover.Join us July 1, 2023, at the Museum for the museum debut of Edie Hemingway’s newest middle grade novel That Smudge of Smoke! Edie will be available beginning at 10:00 am to sign softbound or hardbound books, all imprinted with “Museum Edition.”

    That Smudge of Smoke spans the years from 1929 to 2015 in a middle grade novel about these two 12-year-olds navigating crucial changes in their lives.  The diary, known as Dorie, becomes the vital link between Piper and Garrett, and soon takes on the unexpected role of narrator, a compelling character in itself.  This is a multi-generational story of hope, friendship, family, and of the far-reaching influence of history and music.

    Edith (Edie) Hemingway is co-author of two Civil War novels, both licensed by Scholastic Book Fairs and optioned for films.  Her middle grade novel, Road to Tater Hill (Delacorte Press) won a Parents’ Choice Gold Award and was listed on Bank Street College’s Best Books List and several state lists.  That Smudge of Smoke (BeaLu Books, 2023) is her newest middle grade novel set in two timeframes and told from different points of view.  An MFA graduate of Spalding University’s Naslund-Mann School of Writing, Edie taught writing for children and young adults as a member of their faculty for nine years.  She served four years as Regional Advisor for the MD/DE/WV chapter of SCBWI and is an active member of the Children’s Book Guild of Washington, DC.

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  • Museum Thanks Donors, Members and Dedicates New Plaques

    Museum Thanks Donors, Members and Dedicates New Plaques

    On Saturday evening, May 14, the Steamboat Era Museum held a reception for museum members and donors. President Keith Kehlbeck welcomed the attendees and thanked them for their support. He introduced the Board of Directors and officers of the board. Fred Pevahouse and Will Hubbard were thanked for their time on the board. 

    Museum Executive Director Steve Humphrey reviewed the highlights of the museum’s 2021 season, which are included in the newly released 2021 annual report. He also spoke about the funds and grants raised during 2021.

    The highlight of the evening was the dedication of two plaques located in the restored Potomac Pilothouse. They joined plaques in the wheelhouse installed in 2020.  One plaque is in memory of Benjamin and Willoughby Colonna who saved the Potomac pilothouse from destruction. John Morgenthaler, a shipwright and master craftsman is honored in a second plaque for lovingly restoring the pilothouse

    The plaques dedicated during the reception are in memory of Anne Long McClintock and Dr. Lee and Teensa Williams all original founders of the museum.  Families and friends of the honorees were present at the reception.

    The Williams were original founders and long supporters of the museum. Both passed away this past summer. 

    Dr. Williams was very familiar with the Potomac. He first visited the pilothouse, at age five, as a passenger in 1929.  After swallowing a penny, his mother called Captain Archibald Long for help. Deciding the penny would pass on its own, he invited the young boy to visit the wheelhouse, a very special honor. 

    Ninety years later in 2019, at age ninety-five, he revisited the wheelhouse and once again turned the wheel. The plaque in memory of the Williams reads: 

    The Potomac Wheelhouse is in Loving Memory of

    Dr. M. Lee and Teensa Williams

    Dr. Williams first visited the

    pilothouse, at age five, as a passenger on the Potomac in 1929.

    Ninety years later in 2019, at age ninety-five, he revisited the

    wheelhouse and once again turned the wheel.

    They were original founders of the museum.

    Anne Long McClintock was the granddaughter of Archibald Long, the longest serving captain of the Potomac. The museum and the restoration of the pilothouse were close to Anne’s heart, and she worked hard to make each successful. 

    One of Anne’s greatest joys was the publication of her short stories about the Steamboat Era. Working with former museum Executive Director Barbara Brecher, she collected her stories written for local newspapers and, with Brecher’s design support, We are Who We are Because Steamboats Were was published by the museum in 2014. The first printing sold out in one day at the museum’s Holiday Marketplace.

    Anne passed away in January 2020, but she was present in May 2019 when the restored pilothouse was raised over the museum and installed in the exhibition hall. Anne’s plaque reads: 

    The Captain’s Quarter

    is in

    Loving Memory of Anne Long McClintock,

    an original founder of the museum.

    The Pilothouse restoration was close to Anne’s heart.

    Archibald Long, the longest serving captain of the Potomac (1903-1929),

    was Anne’s grandfather.

    He spent many nights in this cabin.

     

  • Spring Fashion Show Postponed

    Spring Fashion Show Postponed

    This event has been postponed until later in the Spring. Thank you for supporting the Steamboat Era Museum!

  • Join us for an Open House Sunday, March 3 | 2-6pm

    Join us for an Open House Sunday, March 3 | 2-6pm

    See concept drawings of new exhibits, as well as the progress of the Pilothouse restoration!

    There is no charge for this event and no need to RSVP, just come and enjoy light refreshments while you get a firsthand peek at the future look of the museum.

    Naming opportunities are available to honor or memorialize family or friends.
    All donations made at the open house will be used exclusively for new exhibits.

  • New Holiday Marketplace Items

    Paint Your Own Watermen’s Boot!

    15 pairs of four-foot boots painted by artists and located on the Northern Neck and Middle Pennisula represent the Watermen’s Way project completed this past spring. The project led by Virginia’s River Realm, Steamboat Era Museum, Rappahannock Art Center and Lancaster Chamber of Commerce is a tribute to the Watermen and women of the Chesapeake Bay.

    The museum is offering you a chance to create your own Watermen’s Way boot. Available exclusively at the Marketplace is a 6″ white ceramic boot with paints and brushes all packaged for holiday giving.

    $12. Supply is limited

     

    Chesapeake Bay Scarf

    A vintage style map of the Chesapeake Bay showing steamboat ports, based on a large map at the museum, is presented on a 72″ x 30″ scarf. The soft and drapey scarf, made of 100% soft polyester voile, is easy to wear in different ways and shows the entire Bay from Baltimore to Norfolk. All the Bay towns with steamboat wharves are identified. Show your friends and family where you live or like to visit.

    $36. Supply is limited

  • Steamboat Era Museum Presents Fourth Annual Holiday Marketplace

    Steamboat Era Museum Presents Fourth Annual Holiday Marketplace

    More then 20 artisans will present their work at the Fourth Annual Holiday Marketplace on Friday, November 24 and Saturday, November 25 from 10am-4pm. The Marketplace will also be open on Saturday December 2, 9 and 16.

    Attendees will have a choice of unique handmade jewelry, baskets, wood, soaps, birdhouses, metal garden artwork and more. The gift shop will be full of holiday decorations and gifts for the entire family including hostess gifts, jigsaw puzzles based on pieces from the museum’s collections and stocking stuffers.

    Museum publications, “We Are Who We Are Because Steamboats Were” by Anne McCLintock and “Dining on the Chesapeake Bay” will also be available as will note cards, posters, journals and other items available exclusively at the museum.

    A silent auction including artisans’ work, posters and a four foot “Santa” Vermont Teddy Bear will run the first two days of the Marketplace and will end at 4pm on Saturday, Nov 25.

    Proceeds from the Marketplace will support the museum which is located at 156 King Carter Drive, Irvington, For further information please call the museum at 438-6888.

  • See the Restoration of the Potomac Pilothouse and Enjoy a Low Country Boil

    On Saturday, September 23 John and Olivia Morgenthaler are hosting a low country boil to support the Steamboat Era Museum’s Potomac Pilothouse project. John, the shipwright working on the project, will be available to talk about the project and you will see firsthand the progress being made on this historic artifact.

    The event will take place outside, beside the workshop, where the pilothouse is located. Monies raised from this event will be matched dollar for dollar by a $50,000 matching grant challenge from the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation.

    The restoration of the Pilothouse has always been a goal of the founders of the museum. Acquired in 2001,the Pilothouse stood in front of the museum until it was shrink wrapped in 2010 and stored in a field in White Stone. In 2015 it was moved to the Morgenthaler’s property.

    The low country boil will be prepared by local waterman Robbie Reamy, president of Reamy Seafood. Virginia Commonwealth Bank will provide refreshments.

    Tickets cost $75. Seating is limited. The event will take place at the Morgenthaler’s home at 215 Railway Drive in Heathsville from 6-8 pm, rain or shine.  Tickets are available by emailing director@steamboateramuseum.org,  calling the museum at 438-6888 or online through PayPal, below.




  • Former White House photographer offers portrait for museum auction

    Former White House photographer offers portrait for museum auction

    The second annual Fine Art of Steamboat Dining will be held at 6 p.m. April 8 at Good Luck Cellars, 1025 Goodluck Road, Kilmarnock. The event will feature an oyster bar, four-course seated dinner and wine, reported Steamboat Era Museum director Barbara Brecher.

    Read the entire story in the Rappahannock Record; Click Here

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