Steamboats on the Mississippi – January 24, 2018

“Traveling by Steamboat on the Mississippi” by Porsche Schlapper

Currier and Ives print from: http://steamboattimes.com/artwork_currier_ives.html

Currier and Ives print from: http://steamboattimes.com/artwork_currier_ives.html

January 24, 2018, Wednesday, SCHS winter general meeting at St Lucas UCC church. Doors open at 6:30, brief business meeting at 7:00. Refreshments are followed by the presentation “Traveling by Steamboat on the Mississippi” by Porsche Schlapper. She is curator of the Herman T. Pott National Inland Waterways Library at St. Louis Mercantile Library. In this presentation, feel the romance and adventure of traveling by steamboat on the Mississippi River. Hear the tales and amazing facts about this bygone form of transportation. Boarding a steamboat in the 1800’s was truly living life in the fast lane and Porsche will give us a taste of it!

This should be a kid-friendly event, with fun topic and refreshments. Presentation over by 8:45 pm.

See directions to St Lucas UCC church
11735 Denny Road
St. Louis, Missouri  USA 63126

'St. Louis: The Gateway of the West' ~ 1878 by John Stobart. from: http://steamboattimes.com/artwork_4.html

‘St. Louis: The Gateway of the West’ ~ 1878 by John Stobart. from: http://steamboattimes.com/artwork_4.html

When you think of the steamboat era on the Mississippi River, do you picture simpler times? Do you see a tranquil river with steamboats like floating palaces, places of gentility, graciousness and Victorian elegance? On the other hand, do wilder images come to mind of disasters from fires, explosions and collisions? Maybe you think of action-packed races on a river of capricious surprises with many twists, turns and under water dangers. Perhaps you think of characters of ill repute plying their criminal trades of gambling, robbery, graft and violence. You might find some of both in Wednesday night’s presentation by Porsche Schlapper!

 

From: http://www.twainquotes.com/Steamboat.html

From: http://www.twainquotes.com/Steamboat.html

Web resources for the history of river steam boat travel, the times and culture of the era

An essay in Smithsonian magazine
America’s 19th Century Highway: The River
A new exhibition of American wonders underscores the debt our country owes to its waterways

KCUR radio in Kansas City; Steamboat Travel Was Dirty And Dangerous, Especially On The Missouri River

Steamboat Times: A pictorial history of the Mississippi steamboat era
This site has many paintings and drawings of the era and much textual information

The Missouri River: missouririverwatertrail.org

Resource for teachers on 1800s River Transportation

Other attractions on Wednesday night:

N is for Never Forget by Nancy Polette and Paul Dillon

N is for Never Forget by Nancy Polette and Paul Dillon

New book for children on POW/MIAs, “N is for Never Forget,” written by Nancy Polette and illustrated by Paul Dillon. See the book and purchase a copy signed by Paul Dillon.

Learn more about the book on the web:
Book page: http://elvaresa.com/book/never-forget/
Press release: http://elvaresa.com/never-forget-release-dec2017/
Book flyer: http://elvaresa.com/pdfs/N-Is-For-Never-Forget_Flyer.pdf
Reviews: http://elvaresa.com/book/never-forget/never-forget-reviews/
Website: http://nisforneverforget.com/
Online store: https://militaryfamilybooks.com/products/n-is-for-never-forget-by-nancy-polette-and-paul-dillon

Sales of the book will support the POW/MIA museum at Jefferson Barracks.

From: http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/metro/news/world-war-ii-pows-share-memories-at-museum-dedication/article_8f9e222d-adbf-54c5-9b1f-7cbf95cd8ac4.html

From: http://www.stltoday.com/suburban-journals/metro/news/world-war-ii-pows-share-memories-at-museum-dedication/article_8f9e222d-adbf-54c5-9b1f-7cbf95cd8ac4.html

The POW/MIA museum at Jefferson Barracks. Photo from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

The POW/MIA museum at Jefferson Barracks. Photo from: St. Louis Post-Dispatch

St. Louis Genealogical Society

Visit the St. Louis Genealogical Society table to meet the representatives and ask them your questions about genealogy. Their web site is: https://stlgs.org/

Steamboat graphics below are from: http://steamboattimes.com