Steamboat Era Museum

Category: Museum News

  • 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.”

  • Steamboat Era Museum Announces New Board Members and Officers

    Steamboat Era Museum Announces New Board Members and Officers

    Mary Burgess and Ollen Richey have been elected to the Board of Directors at the Steamboat Era Museum. 

    Burgess graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College. In the late 90s she moved to Richmond and built a successful real estate business.  Granddaughter of steamboat historian and author, Robert H. Burgess, she heard many stories about the Steamboat Era during her childhood.  In 2015 she moved to the Northern Neck full time. Burgess, an Irvington resident, continues selling real estate and racing at Rappahannock River Yacht Club. 

    Ollen Richey and his wife Linda Caron settled in Irvington in 2018.  Ollen is a retired Marine who has seen service around the world.  Since his retirement from the Corps, he has worked in the national security sector, most recently, in the Middle East and North Africa.  In January, he co-founded a national security consultancy and is busy now getting the company off the ground.  In his free time, Ollen is an avid sailor and fisherman.  

    Board President Keith Kehlbeck

    Keith Kehlbeck was elected President of the Board of Directors. Kehlbeck is an historian, author, and dad. He has written two books “Gone to God: A Civil War Family’s Ultimate Sacrifice” and “Aim High: The Life and Times of John Arena. When not focused on the Civil War, Keith served as Executive Director for Select Registry, Distinguished Inns of North America and CEO for Distinguished Restaurants of North America. He previously served on several boards including the Marshall Historical Society and the Michigan Barn Preservation Network. Keith has a bachelor’s degree in history from Wabash College. 

    New officers of the Steamboat Era Museum board of directors include: Vice President, Greg Kirkbride, Secretary, Cay Bradley and Treasurer, Jeff Ewing.

    The board thanks retiring board members Will Hubbard and Fred Pevahouse for their leadership and contributions to the museum.

     

     

  • Steamboat Era Museum Begins Summer Hours on June 2

    Steamboat Era Museum Begins Summer Hours on June 2

    The Steamboat Era Museum will be open June 2- September 5 Thursday-Saturday and Monday 10am-4pm and Sunday 1-4pm. It will be closed July 4.

    Activities at the museum include docent-led tours and a children’s scavenger hunt, including a new hunt for younger children.

    Discover the Stories of the Steamboat Era. 

    Interactive exhibits include the story of Hansford Bayton, an African American steamboat owner. He tells his story of how tell how he navigated Jim Crow laws to run a successful fleet of steamers—until arson literally sent his business up in flames. 

    Meet young Walther Fidler, and his friends, who snuck aboard steamboats to play the slot machines. 

    Watch a video, in one of the crew quarters in the restored Potomac Pilothouse, the largest remaining piece of a Chesapeake Bay steamboat in existence. Experience the restoration and installation of the pilothouse in 2019. 

    Mark your calendar for two of the museum’s signature events. The Irvington Crab Festival is scheduled for September 17 and the Holiday Marketplace on November 25, 26 & 27 and December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17 & 18. 

    Admission to the museum is $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for youth 12-17. Active military and children under 12 are free.  For groups of ten or more the admission is $5.00

    For further information please call 438-6888 or email shop@SteamboatEraMuseum.org  

  • Museum Welcomes New Executive Director

    Museum Welcomes New Executive Director

    The Board of Directors is pleased to announce Steve Humphrey as the museum’s new Executive Director.

    Humphrey served 29 years as the executive director of the National Canal Museum and Hugh Moore Historical Park in Easton, Pennsylvania. He was responsible for a six-mile-long historical park where he oversaw the restoration of an historic canal, as well as the implementation of a mule drawn canal boat ride, bike paths and other recreational facilities.

    His last position before retiring in 2017, was executive director of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) in Columbia, Pennsylvania. The NAWCC operates the National Watch and Clock Museum, an internationally renowned library/archives on timekeeping and timepieces and an extensive publishing program.

    Between his two executive director positions Steve served as Business Administrator for the City of Easton, Pennsylvania.

    Steve and his wife Sandy relocated to Virginia after retiring to be near his daughter Rachel, son-in-law Steve and four grandsons who live in Middlesex and own Yours Truly Photography in Kilmarnock. Their other daughter Andrea resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

    “I am looking forward to working with the Steamboat Era Museum and getting to know the community.” Humphrey stated. “In addition, the board and I are pleased to announce Brecher Design Group, led by former museum executive director Barbara Brecher, has been retained to continue the marketing efforts of
    the museum.”

  • Steamboat Era Museum Announces Opening Date for 2019

Steamboat Era Museum
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