Authentic/Vintage Sternwheel Vessels:

BARBARA H Built in 1923 for Standard Oil, the BARBARA H is the oldest sternwheel towboat in operation. After 77 years of continuous commercial service, the BARBARA H was decommissioned in December of 2000, making it the longest running commercial towboat . The BARBARA H was enrolled into the National Historic Landmark List in 1990 and is the centerpiece of our exhibits.

Sternwheel Towboat BARBARA H

Artifacts in our Inventory:

• Photographic Materials:
  • The Captain Leon Ash Collection contains 300+ negatives
    and photos from the early 1900's; generally Ohio River scenes.
  
  
• Library - 490 hard-bound volumes; several river journals
  • Inland River Record; 12 volumes - 1949,1959-1966,1968,1985,2002
  • Waterways Journals; many - 1930-1941,1945-1946,1952 & 1993 to present
  • The Marine News (3) - 1930
  • National Waterways Journal (1) 1929; (3) - 1930
  • Dravo promotional booklets; 1940 & 1941
  • Southern Marine Review Journal; 1945
  • Sternwheeler (ASA journal & newsletters); 1995 to present
  • S&D Reflectors; all issues from 1969 to present
  • Egregious Steamboat Journals; all issues from 1991 to 1998
  
  
• Artifacts:
  • Nameboard from sternwheel towboat DONALD B (1940-2000)
  • 8' x 5.5' Paddlewheel from CedarPoint sternwheel boat
  • Four navigation lamps from steam sternwheel ferryboat OHIO
  • Three steamboat lanterns.
  • Life ring from the towboat m/v NEVILLE
  • 1851 Steamboat bill of lading
  • Souvenier piece of decorative doorway moulding
    from the racing ROBT E. LEE
  • 14 steam whistles.
    Str. BETSY ANN reproduction whistle.
    Str. BELLE OF LOUISVILLE reproduction whistle.
  
  
• Models - Two on display:
  • DIXIE - sternwheel excursion vessel
  • ROBERT E. LEE - sidewheel packet boat
    
  • Full scale historical vessels -
    • BARBARA H (1923) - 99' sternwheel towboat, steel hull, wood superstructure.
      Oldest operational sternwheel vessel of its kind. National Historic Landmark Vessel.
      95% original fabric.
    • LORETTA HOWARD (1929) - 172' former steam sternwheel towboat,
      steel hull and superstructure.
      Launched by President Herbert Hoover in 1929. 50% original fabric. Under restoration.
    • JOSEPH THROCKMORTON (1939) - 42' screw-wheel towboat built for U.S. Engineers.
      steel hull and superstructure.
      90% original fabric. Under restoration.

  Use of HSPS Inventory: Open to public but appointment advisable (no electronic access). Will reply to written inquiries in 10-20 days. Will reproduce documents, photos or drawings; price on per job basis.

  ---