Journey back to the golden age of Steamboats
05-10-2008
with Old Economy Village’s Sternwheeler Tour
Rediscover the golden era of majestic river boats as part of a coach tour offered by Old Economy Village to Marietta, Ohio’s for the American Sternwheel Association’s 33rd Annual Sternwheeler festival in September. The tour departs Friday, September 5th and returns Sunday, September 7th, 2008.
Participants will discover the story of steamboat travel along the Ohio River during its golden age while learning about the Harmony Society’s own investments in riverboats for travel & commerce on the Ohio & Mississippi River. Accompanying the tour will be Mrs. B.G. Shields, past Executive Director of the Sewickley Valley Historical Society, who will share her personal remembrances of Captain Frederick Way of Sewickley. Captain Way was a river pilot and author of many books on the history of steamboats on the Ohio River. His great-grandfather, Abishai Way, also of Sewickley, was shipping agent for the Harmony Society in the years prior to the Civil War.
Beginning at the Hannibal Locks & Dam, the tour group will explore the unique wicket dam & the maneuver boat display depicting the history of navigation on the Ohio River. At the Ohio River Museum in Marietta tour members will board the W.P. Snyder, Jr., the last intact steam-powered, stern-wheeled towboat in the United States and glimpse river steam boating along the Ohio River system. At the Campus Martius Museum, participants will learn about the first organized American settlement in the Northwest Territory in the late 18th century.
An evening dinner cruise on the Valley Gem Sternwheeler will be accompanied by 19th century magician Dr. Charlatan's Medicine Show. The evening will wrap up with fireworks on the Ohio River Levee. No trip would be complete without a visit to the Marietta Earthworks built by the Hopewell culture (100 BC – AD 500) along the Muskingum & Ohio Rivers. Or, chat with "Marietta's own American Revolution Naval Hero!" Commodore Abraham Whipple, as portrayed by his 5th Great Grandson, David Whipple Paige. Enjoy festival activities & cheer for your favorite during the Sternwheeler Races.
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