Waterfront Museum in Red Hook, Brooklyn, New York, NY

Captain's Log, 12.1.07
Years of our hard work to help develop Red Hook as a vibrant community and cultural destination have paid off. When we first brought the historic barge to be a part of Greg O’Connell’s waterfront access plan, barbed wire lined the waterfront and most visitors were only coming to Red Hook to retrieve their cars from one of the many impound lots. In some respects, the Museum’s purpose of enticing people to the neighborhood has been served. Now our task is to build on the opportunities of our new surroundings.
As part of this effort, we are developing a marketing plan to attract tour groups and new audiences for guided visits to the Museum. We have established General Public Tours Thursdays 4 – 8 PM and will expand open hours to include Saturdays 1-5 PM starting this Spring. We will continue our maritime education program for thousands of school and camp children as well as educators, preservationists, bike and walking tours. Please be sure to see our new sign opposite the Fairway exit on Conover Street.

Captain's Log, 12.1.07 Years of our hard work to help develop Red Hook as a vibrant community and cultural destination have paid off. When we first brought the historic barge to be a part of Greg O’Connell’s waterfront access plan, barbed wire lined the waterfront and most visitors were only coming to Red Hook to retrieve their cars from one of the many impound lots. In some respects, the Museum’s purpose of enticing people to the neighborhood has been served. Now our task is to build on the opportunities of our new surroundings. As part of this effort, we are developing a marketing plan to attract tour groups and new audiences for guided visits to the Museum. We have established General Public Tours Thursdays 4 – 8 PM and will expand open hours to include Saturdays 1-5 PM starting this Spring. We will continue our maritime education program for thousands of school and camp children as well as educators, preservationists, bike and walking tours. Please be sure to see our new sign opposite the Fairway exit on Conover Street.
		In addition to the opportunity presented by the new vibrancy of Red Hook, the Museum also faces a new challenge. Our landlord and largest patron have respectfully requested that we no longer host events involving alcohol due to liability concerns. Consequently, the Museum will no longer host receptions and private events. While the loss of this substantial revenue source will be sorely felt, we are focusing on the new availability of the space and are working to identify other sources of revenue. In addition, the SUNSET MUSIC SERIES that flourished for 15 years with wide acclaim under Artistic Director George Tocci will not return this summer. CIRCUSundays under the artistic direction of Karen E. Gersch has thrived since opening in 1995 and will sport two shows each of the five Sundays in June 2008. Visitors to the Museum can view “SHOWBOAT-‘Round the Bend” produced in partnership with The Theater Museum. The exhibition panels tell the history and development of the showboat as an indigenous and popular form of American entertainment along our nation’s waterways and in our own NY waters. The show also includes: original showboat lobby bells, cash boxes, posters, and other artifacts.
Like the Showboats of old, when deckhands & cooks also performed, the Waterfront Museum offers frequent, spontaneous performances of the captain’s “Serious Foolishness“. The Museum’s largest artifact, the 95-year-old covered railroad barge, is the only surviving wooden example of The Lighterage Era (1860 – 1960) an era when goods were transported across the harbor by tugs and barges. In its heyday, there used to be about 5,000 non-self propelled vessels at work. This transportation system was rendered obsolete by the container ships, trucks, highways, bridges and tunnels of today. Shipwrights are currently working diligently to return the Barge to its original condition. This includes replacement of rotten planks, fender boards, corners and waterproofing on the port side and barge ends. Walk along Pier 44 to view our finished starboard side.
		Throughout the year, we have been active advocates of the rebuilding of the New York waterfront infrastructure to open up town docks for historic vessels to bring their educational, vocational and cultural programs to other neighborhoods. The Waterfront Museum has had discussions with Pier 66 Maritime, Yonkers, City Island, Greenport, and Brooklyn Bridge Park as possible 2008 ports of call. The Museum is also exploring a 2009 NYC to Albany Tour to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s maiden voyage to our shores. Please help us explore these new horizons and support our endeavors to provide cultural programs aboard an historic vessel. Consider contributing today and come enjoy waterfront horizons! Thank you for your time and consideration and we look forward to seeing you aboard our Showboat and Museum.