One of the activities of the canal society that benefit Virginia’s historic resources is cleaning up overgrown locks. On March 12, 2022, a group of volunteers met to take on Gwynn Lock near Eagle Rock, VA. This cleanup was scheduled and rescheduled several times due to weather, so Andrew Shaw, who was leading the effort,…
The crossing of the Dan River is an annual event held each February in South Boston, Virginia to commemorate the1781 crossing by General Nathanial Green and his army to get away from the British army. They succeeded in getting across by using two ferries and many batteaux which were then secured on the North side…
On February 8, a small group of people gathered in the courtyard of the Charlottesville Albemarle Historical Society to acknowledge the donation of $25,000.00 to the Hatton Ferry fund. John and Trula Wright made the donation to help get the ferry operating again, which is a project of the historical society. Both of the Wrights…
In the Fall of 2021 I contacted Christian Crouch of the Lynchburg Museum system about the VCNS participating in the Point of Honor Event called Day at the Point. It turned out the 2021 event was cancelled, but during that phone conversation, Christian asked if Dr. Trout and I would be interested in helping evaluate…
In 1999, a 36-foot long batteau fragment was found in the Staunton River at the site of Altavista’s old batteau landing. After it was recovered, the fragment was treated with polyvinyl acetate to preserve it and it was stored at the Avoca museum in Altavista. It was not put on display, as the 36-foot length…
Written by Rachel Mahoney and edited by Bill Trout The frayed, rusty remains of a canal packet boat that provide the ghost of a glimpse of Virginia’s historic canal system now sit on display at its own exhibit next to the canal society’s Batteau House – a sight better than the muddy burial grounds it…
Bill Trout and I attended the Fall Festival at Rassawek on October 23 and 24, to represent the VC&NS and educate the public about our mission as well as to solicit new members. The event was very well advertised and over 5000 people came on the first day alone. Because we were located just inside…
The Tiller magazine is a journal of what the canal society does, including special events we attend and accomplishments and milestones of our members. The James River Batteau Festival always provides us with opportunities to document great stories and we have one such story in hand that will be told in the upcoming Tiller. However,…
The River Management Society is holding their annual symposium April 12-15, 2021. It will be all virtual — if you are interested, you can register here: https://www.river-management.org/symposium. Brian Coffield and Roger Nelson of the VC&NS will be featured in a video about the history of the batteau on the James River. **Update: Here is a…
VCNS ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Saturday, April 10, 2021 Batteau House 3806 S. Amherst Hwy, Madison Heights, VA All meetings will be outside at the barn – under the covered area 10:00 am: Board of Directors meeting 11:00 am – 5:00 pm: Completing unfinished projects at Batteau House (cleaning and minor maintenance) 5:00 pm – 6:00…
Laura Rann, the volunteer coordinator at the James River State Park, contacted me and asked if I would operate the sweep for the batteau Madison on an important adventure. As I’m not usually inclined to turn down a batteau trip, I said I’d love to help. It turned out that the adventure was to be…