HOWARD STEAMBOAT MUSEUM

Web site:  www.steamboatmuseum.org 

Hours: 1000-1500 Tues-Sat, 1300-1500 Sun

Mission Statement: To preserve the Howard family story, their mansion and history of their shipyards. To communicate an appreciation of the history of Western rivers steamboat and commerce development.

Use of the Collection: Archival access is limited, appointment necessary. Will respond to written inquiries within approx. 3 weeks.

Collection Content:

• General areas - Tools and machinery from the Howard Shipyard (a major riverboat builder from the 1834 to present (as Jeffboat, Inc.). In 1878 built the J.M. WHITE, considered by many to be the finest river sidewheel steamer ever), steamboat artifacts and memorabelia, WWII LST's. 1834-1941.
• Library - 1,000 volumes, 300 vessel technical drawings, 2,000+ vessel photos, 1,000 specifications, bills of lading and ledgers. Extensive listing of inland rivers vessels and personnel.
  A large portion of this collection is uncataloged. A substantial portion of the collection is permanently housed in the Rare Manuscript Dept. of the Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, In.

  Paintings - Approx. 100: steamboats and portraits. Includes 6 steamboat paintings by Rome Childers, 6 Harland Howard prints.

  Models - 38 displayed (28 full, 10 half hulls), 9 stored. Notable is the full model of the 285' sidewheel steamboat INDIANA (1900), Louisville & Cincinnati Packet Co., an international multi prize winner.

  Special artifacts - Gavel with mounting plaque, made from woods of the steamboats JOHN W. CANNON, INDIANA and ROBERT E. LEE. Other items from the steamboats NATCHEZ, J.M. WHITE, ROBERT E. LEE and DELTA QUEEN.

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