Steamboat Era Museum

Category: Steamboat Book

  • The Steamboat Era Museum Publishes New Book

    The Steamboat Era Museum Publishes New Book

    The Steamboat Era Museum is proud to announce the publication of a new book.

    Published in November 2020, Chesapeake Bay Steamboat Era 1813-1937 A-Z  is an alphabet book about the Steamboat Era.
    The book is full of historic photographs, newspaper articles, and other images from the museum’s archives and exhibits. Author Shelly Ford makes the story for each letter informative and fun to read.
    Barbara Brecher, the museum’s Executive Director created and designed the book. After more than seven years as director, Brecher will be leaving the museum at the end of the 2020 year. This book is her thank you gift to the local and museum community for the strong support and guidance she received during this time. In the dedication she thanks people with whom she worked to re-imagine the museum and restore and install the Potomac Pilothouse. Brecher and her husband Michael Geissinger, the museum’s “official photographer “ for the past seven years, have donated 50 copies of the book to be sold at the Museum’s Virtual Marketplace. All proceeds from the sale will support the museum.
    The coiled bound 32 page book measures 11” x 8.5″ and is printed on heavy cover stock. It costs $18.99.
  • The Steamboat Era Museum Publishes New Book

    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.

Steamboat Era Museum
X