Hudson River Maritime Museum facts for kids
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| Established | 1980 |
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| Location | Kingston, NY, United States |
| Type | non-profit: history, transportation |
| Visitors | 20,000 |
The Hudson River Maritime Museum is a cool place that teaches you all about the Hudson River. It's a special kind of museum called a maritime museum, which means it focuses on boats, ships, and everything to do with the water.
You can find the museum in Kingston, New York, right by the water. It sits along a smaller waterway called Rondout Creek. This area used to be a very busy port in the 1800s. Kingston was an important stop for boats traveling between New York City and Albany. The museum often uses the short name HRMM.
The museum shows off the history of boats, shipping, and industries that used the Hudson River. It also covers the smaller rivers that flow into the Hudson, like the Rondout Creek. Kingston became a rich town because it was the end point of the Delaware and Hudson Canal. This canal helped move coal and other goods.
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About the Museum
The Hudson River Maritime Museum was started in 1980 by people who loved the Hudson River. It moved to its current spot, an old boat shop, in 1983.
What You Can See
The museum has many interesting things to explore. You can see different types of small boats. There are also items from famous river steamships, like the Mary Powell. The museum has a library where you can learn more about river history. You can also see tools used for harvesting ice from the river in the past. Old maps, paintings, and drawings show what the river looked like long ago.
Outside the museum, you can see the Mathilda, an old steam tugboat from 1898. During the summer, you can even take boat trips to the nearby Rondout Lighthouse. This lighthouse is where Rondout Creek meets the big Hudson River.
Boats at the Docks
Many different boats visit the museum's docks. These include private boats and even large cruise ships. The famous Hudson River Sloop Clearwater often stays here in winter. Other historic boats, like the Onrust and the Half Moon, also visit. The museum even offers free docking for canoes and kayaks!
Activities and Events
The Hudson River Maritime Museum is a busy place. It's home to the Kingston High School Crew Team and the Rondout Rowing Club. The Kingston Sailing Club also uses the museum's facilities.
The museum is supported by its members and hosts many fun events. These include boat shows with old and classic boats. They also have "Hudson River Days" with music, crafts, and displays. You can attend lectures in their "Follow the River" series. They also have "Cinema Sundays" and "Family Days" for everyone to enjoy.
Learning at the Museum
The HRMM offers great ways to learn new skills. In 2016, they opened the Wooden Boat School. Here, you can learn how to build and fix wooden boats. They offer classes all year round. In 2017, they started the Sailing & Rowing School. This school teaches you how to sail and row. These classes are available in the spring, summer, and fall.
Visiting the Museum
The museum is open most days, but hours change with the seasons. During winter, it's open Thursday through Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm. In summer, it's open every day, Monday through Sunday, from 11 am to 5 pm.
There is a small fee to enter the museum. They also offer special prices for families. If you are visiting with a group, you can arrange a special tour. Don't forget to check out the gift shop! It has books about Kingston, the Hudson Valley, and the river's history.
See also
- List of maritime museums in the United States
- List of museum ships
