On display, model of the 422'  "Berkshire", largest steamboat built for the Hudson River

"Steamboats of the Hudson River" traces the rise, Golden Age, and decline of the great Hudson River steamboats in more than 200 vintage images and boat models. Robert Fulton's "Clermont" started the steamboat industry in 1807.  Many area agricultural communities had new markets opened to them when fast steamboats replaced slow moving sloops and schooners. Reducing the shipping time from days to hours allowed farmers to ship dairy, meat, and vegetable products to the booming and profitable NYC markets, thereby growing local economies significantly. Famous boats such as the "Mary Powell", "Albany", and "Alexander Hamilton" carried passengers on daily excursions or travelers making connections to distant places. The exhibit includes images of the stately interiors of Golden Age boats, as well as the amusement park destinations built by the steamboat companies to attract tourists. Disasters are also shown, which resulted from racing, lack of regulations, and weather conditions.

"The Great 1909 Hudson-Fulton Celebration" is an additional featured exhibit, and displays more than 50 artifacts from this momentous event 100 years ago. The Tercentennial celebration included a maritime parade never equaled again.

Exhibit visitors take a simulated steamboat "trip" to 10 landings, each of which covers some aspect of steamboat history and the 1909 Hudson-Fulton celebration.

A special happening is set for Saturday, August 8 at 2pm, when you can see demonstrations of steamboat model engines and a 12-foot paddlewheel boat driven by live steam. An additional Quadricentennial event is a presentation on "The History of Hudson River Steamboats" by historian Robert Jordy, which takes place Friday, October 2 at 7:30pm.

The exhibit is located at the Clinton Historical Society's Exhibit Center at 2433 Salt Point Tpke, Clinton Corners. It's open Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4pm, now through September 6. It reopens the weekend of October 2-4 for the Quadricentennial opening of the Walkway Over the Hudson. Admission is free, and the Center is handicapped accessible. For details, call 845/242-5879.