The Museum

Hear from Hansford Bayton, an African-American steamboat owner, entrepreneur, and civic leader. He’ll tell you 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 who recounts a risky adventure. He and his friends sold their morning fish catch and sneaked onboard a docked steamer. Their objective? The casino—where they gleefully played the slot machines.

Turn the wheel in the restored Potomac pilothouse and ring the engine bell. You can almost hear the exchange between the captain and crew about getting underway to their next destination!

And don’t miss our museum shop – it’s as unique as our stories.