Second Annual Amherst County Batteau Day – June 9, 2018.

Posted on June 9, 2018 by VCNS

The second annual Amherst County Batteau Day was held beside Rucker Landing beside the James River on the Amherst County Side.

The weather was beautiful as I toured the various period craft booths and groups such as the Daughters of the American Revolution and a nice group of ladies from the Legacy group.

A man played his instruments and sang in front of the James River Association’s Lynchburg office. Dr. Bill Trout and Philip de Vos had the VC&NS booth with the many publications and information on display.

Octavia Starbuck was all smiles as she rode the golf cart to check on things. Mike Rucker and Jeff Taylor put on a skit about the history of the batteaux in Amherst County.

The batteau Lizzy Langley was beside the boat ramp as Dillon Schumacker and many of the crew packed oakum and worked on the boat getting ready for the launch of the JRBF next Saturday from Percival’s Island. The crew gave some public festival attendees a nice ride up the river a ways and back to the boat ramp.

Working up an appetite taking photos I had a really nice BBQ and later some of the kettle popcorn that was cooked on site a little while earlier. I could see the crew of the batteau sitting on the boat so I got them a big bag of the popcorn and told them it was a boat donation. 

This years event was nice and I look forward to next year.

Holt Messerly, VCNS Publications

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    Appomattox River Festival – 2018 – By Brian Coffield.

    Posted on April 30, 2018 by VCNS

    The 4thannual Appomattox Riverfest was held on April 28, 2018 at Appomattox Riverside Park in Dinwiddie County. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the Lower Appomattox River (FOLAR).  This event brings together state and local agencies and volunteer groups with an interest in the local ecology and in educating the general public about the environment and history of the area.

    The VC&NS was represented by Brian Coffield and Bill Trout, who set up a booth to increase awareness of the VC&NS in general, as well as to talk to festival attendees about the canal that runs through the park.

    The festival is always well-attended and has a lot of interesting participants and activities for the entire family. The children especially enjoy being able to see and learn about wild birds and were even allowed to pet a snake or two!

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      VCNS Board of Directors tour Richmond Pumphouse – April 14th, 2018. By Brian Coffield

      Posted on April 21, 2018 by VCNS
      Photo of wood batteau parts in water by Brian Coffield. Other photos by David Samuel.

      On April 14, 2018, after the VC&NS board of directors held their quarterly meeting in Powhatan, Virginia. The group attended an open house event at the Pump House in on the canal in Richmond.  The event was hosted by a group called “Friends of the Pump House”. This group is a new organization that is working to restore the Pump House, a magnificent structure, to its former glory. The event mainly consisted of tours led by Lyn Lanier (also known as “Mr. Pump House”), who is a long time member of the VC&NS.  Later in the day there was a reading of selected work from Thomas Jefferson, with a light show in the background.

      What is there to see at the Pump House? For one thing, the wood from the canal basin dig is stored there in large wells full of water in the bottom of the Pump House.  The VC&NS group taking the tour took the opportunity to remove a rib from the water to examine and take a photo of it.  Working our way up to the top, we also saw a grand ballroom which is currently in need of restoration.  After the tour, several members of the VC&NS remained to interact with the public showing up for tours in the afternoon, and to help the Friends of the Pump House collect donations for the restoration.

       
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        Winner of the 50/50 Raffle

        Posted on July 14, 2017 by Donna Riedel

        We were able to sell $180.00 worth of Raffle Tickets during the start of the James River Batteau Festival in Lynchburg.

        Congratulations to our winner- Laura Mattson of Scottsville, VA

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          Response to Pledge Card

          Posted on July 14, 2017 by Donna Riedel

          Since the Pledge Cards were sent out along with the Tiller we have been getting some returns.  Here are just a few of our members who have Pledged:

          • Mac Sammons – $1,000 Matched by Dr. Trout
          • Phil DeVos – $500.00
          • Jim Pharr – $100.00
          • Thomas Fisher III -$100.00
          • Daniel Monahan – $50.00
          • Benjamin Stoppe – $25.00
          • Rodney Lorene – $25.00
          • Ludwig Kuttner – $25.00

          Because we are a Non-Profit is why we ask for your Pledge!  In order for us to continue building The History and Preservation of Virginia Canals and Navigation and show that  “The Future May Learn From the Past “.

          Thank you to all that have given, we look forward to receiving your Pledge Card!

          Donna Riedel- Fundraising Chairman

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