Waterfront Museum facts for kids

The Waterfront Museum is a special place in Brooklyn, New York. It's not a building, but a historic boat! This boat, called Lehigh Valley Barge No. 79, used to carry goods across the Hudson River a long time ago. It was built in 1914 and is believed to be the only wooden railroad barge from that era still floating today.

Today, the museum is docked in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn. It offers many fun and educational programs for visitors. You can learn about New York's waterfront history and enjoy different events.

What is the Waterfront Museum?

The Waterfront Museum is unique because it's inside an old barge. A barge is a flat-bottomed boat used for carrying heavy things on rivers or canals. This particular barge was part of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Railroads used barges like this to move train cars and goods across water when there wasn't a bridge.

A Special Wooden Barge

What makes Barge No. 79 so special is that it's made entirely of wood. Most barges today are made of steel. It's amazing that this wooden boat, built over 100 years ago, is still floating and being used! It helps us remember what transportation was like in the past.

History of the Museum

The museum started in 1985 thanks to a man named David Sharps. He was a juggler who loved history. He worked hard to restore the old barge and turn it into a museum.

Finding a Home in Red Hook

After its restoration, the barge found its permanent home in Red Hook in 1994. David Sharps was the president of the museum for its first 25 years. His vision helped create a place where people can connect with the rich history of the New York harbor.