Go With The Flow: The Hudson River Maritime Museum Dives Into The History Of The River

This blog post is all about the Hudson River Maritime Museum, one of the foremost spots for local history in the Hudson Valley, and the site where I am currently working on research for this internship. The non-profit institution states in its mission statement that it is “dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of the maritime history of the Hudson River, its tributaries, and related industries.” This specific educational goal makes the museum the only one of its kind in New York State. Founded in 1979 in Kingston, NY, by boating enthusiasts and local citizens, the museum was originally located in a smaller storefront building near downtown. It moved to its current location not too far away in 1983. The two story brick building and adjacent structures located alongside the Rondout Creek were formerly occupied by a lumber company, but now provides ample space for the museum and its collection to grow. That same year the museum acquired the Mathilda, a historic steam powered tugboat from 1898 that remains dry docked  in the museum’s yard. Today the building holds dozens of vessels and other historic artifacts including ship models, photographs, and maps related to the long and illustrious maritime history on the Hudson River. This history is over 400 years old dating back to Native American usage of the river at the time of early discovery and the voyages of Henry Hudson in his famous boat the Half Moon, a replica of its cabin being a featured exhibit. And this history leads all the way up to the modern day, which is mainly focused on environmental concerns over the river. This is the topic of the upcoming exhibit which I am researching as part of this internship. Finally, the history of the river also encompasses various different industries related to the Hudson River, everything from brick and cement making, boat making, coal transportation, and even ice harvesting. Steam engine innovation and usage also played a large role in the maritime history, representing how important the Hudson River was to the economy and society of the whole region.

The museum creates an interactive and engaging environment in order to educate people about the diverse maritime history of the river. The exhibits include build-able models to show children how locks and canals work and beds that one can lay in and pretend that it’s a famed 19th century steam powered riverboat that drove the industry of the river. The larger warehouse building houses dozens of historic vessels some of which are over 100 years old and 10 feet long. This theme of interaction reverberates throughout the museum and all of its programs and activities. It is a vital part of how the museum builds its collection and communicates with the public. Volunteers are encouraged expand on the online collections and databases to continually expand the exhibits. The museum holds many classes and workshops that teach a variety of maritime skills including woodworking, sailing, and rowing. Lectures and educational programs continue to expand the public’s knowledge of maritime history of the region and perpetuating the museums mission.