Lower Mississippi River Museum facts for kids

Lower Mississippi River Museum

The Lower Mississippi River Museum is a cool museum located in Vicksburg, Mississippi. It's a special place that teaches you all about the mighty Mississippi River and its history. This museum is unique because it's the first and only one in the United States to have a real, fully restored riverboat on display!

The idea for the museum came from a law passed in 1992. Experts from the famous Smithsonian Institution helped plan and design the museum. Other groups, like the Department of the Interior and the National Park Service, also helped create the fun and educational programs you can experience there.

The M/V Mississippi IV

M/V Mississippi IV

One of the biggest attractions at the museum is the Motor Vessel Mississippi (often called the M/V Mississippi IV). This impressive boat is the fourth vessel to carry the name Mississippi for the United States Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps of Engineers is a part of the U.S. Army that works on big projects like managing rivers and building dams.

The M/V Mississippi IV is a powerful boat. It runs on diesel fuel and is built entirely from steel. It has two huge engines, each with 1860 horsepower! This boat also had special propellers that could change direction easily. This made it very good at steering and moving even in tight spots.

The boat has four main levels. These include the main deckhouse, the second deckhouse, the Texas deckhouse, and the pilothouse. The pilothouse is where the captain steers the boat.

For many years, the M/V Mississippi IV worked as a towboat. It also served as an inspection vessel, meaning it was used to check on the river and its banks. The boat stopped working in 1993. Then, on September 26, 2007, it was carefully moved onto land. Now, it's a permanent part of the museum, ready for you to explore!