The Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen (S&D) was
established in 1939 to perpetuate the memory of Pioneer Rivermen and for
the preservation of river history.
Join the former and active riverboat captains, crew
and their families, historians, artists, model builders and those with
an interest in the history of the people and boats of the Mississippi
River system in sustaining a uniquely American tradition. Membership is
not restricted to descendants of river pioneers.
This website describes a few of the preservation
and restoration activities of the society which your dues will help
support. Full membership entitles the holder to:
● Free
admission to the Ohio River Museum and towboat W. P. SNYDER JR. at
Marietta, Ohio.
Ohio
River Museum
The first accomplishment of the S&D was the
establishment of a river museum for the preservation and the
exhibition of artifacts, photographs, models, and books. The River
Museum opened in 1941 within the Campus Martius Museum at Marietta, Ohio
which is a part of the Ohio Historical Society.
In 1972 the Ohio Historical Society constructed a new
Ohio River Museum complex consisting of three inter-connecting
buildings on the banks of the Muskingum River at Marietta.
New exhibits,
original paintings steam calliope and whistles, and space for outdoors
exhibits and artifacts now enhance the Sons & Daughters collection.
W.P.Snyder
JR.
In 1955 one of the last
surviving steam towboats, W.P.Snyder Jr., was added to the Ohio River
Museum collection. This gift
from the Crucible Steel Company of America to the Ohio Historical
Society with the help of the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen is
moored on the Muskingum River adjacent to the museum.
Inland Rivers
Library
The Inland Rivers Library was established in 1956 in
cooperation with the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County by
the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen. Housed in the Library's Rare
Books and Special Collections Depart
ment, the Inland Rivers Library is a
major resource for books, manuscripts photographs, maps, and ephemera
dealing with the Western Rivers. The Library continues to enhance this
collection through purchases as well as donations by S&D members and
others.
The oldest existing Western Rivers steamboat
pilothouse provides the crowing touch to the Ohio River Museum complex.
The steamer Tell City's pilothouse was removed after the
steamboat sank in 1917.
hters of Pioneer Rivermen, the Ohio
Historical Society an the Huntington District U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, relocated the pilothouse to the Ohio River Museum. Monies
from S&D's J. Mack Gamble Fund supported its restoration in 1977.
The S&D annual meeting is held the second weekend
after Labor Day at the Lafayette Hotel located on the historic
riverfront in Marietta, Ohio. The activities of this two day gathering
include speakers, entertainment, displays, a banquet, boat rides, and
special events of interest. Most important, it is a time for members
with a wide range of interests in river history and culture to socialize.
Copyright 1999 S. & D. of P. R.
Site created & maintained by
gift
from the Crucible Steel Company of America to the Ohio Historical
Society with the help of the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen is
moored on the Muskingum River adjacent to the museum.
ment, the Inland Rivers Library is a
major resource for books, manuscripts photographs, maps, and ephemera
dealing with the Western Rivers. The Library continues to enhance this
collection through purchases as well as donations by S&D members and
others.
hters of Pioneer Rivermen, the Ohio
Historical Society an the Huntington District U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, relocated the pilothouse to the Ohio River Museum. Monies
from S&D's 
oat rides, and
special events of interest. Most important, it is a time for members
with a wide range of interests in river history and culture to socialize.
