The local volunteer organization Friends of the Museums tells WMOA News that the 1900-era Schoonover "shanty boat," perhaps the last remaining shanty boat along the Ohio River and its tributaries, was moved to Marietta's Ohio River Museum on Wednesday.

 

Thursday, Jeff Spear, president of the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen and other volunteers began final plans to restore the boat.  

 

The old boat will be transformed into a new, permanent outdoor exhibit relating experiences of the families who lived upon these unusual vessels. These unadorned, wooden, one-room “houses” on simple boxed hulls seem to have been around as long as people lived along America's rivers.  

 

The 10’ x 34’ Schoonover shanty boat was located on dry land and without its original hull along the shore of the Muskingum above Beverly.

 

Restoration and stabilization plans started last fall. In the spring, crews donated by Dave Lapp of Dave's Landscaping of McConnelsville lifted the boat and rebuilt the floor, materials for which were donated by Schilling Truss Company of Beverly.  

 

This summer more work was done to stabilize the boat for transport and do temporary repairs to the roof.  

 

On Wednesday, Rusty Brown of B & B Petroleum provided a truck and trailer for the 25-mile haul down Route 60 to Marietta, and Duke Energy provided a forklift and manpower.  

 

Next week, more donors - Dye Concrete, Greenleaf Landscaping and Smith Concrete - will create a concrete pad for the project.  

 

Final restoration will take place once the boat is set on its foundation.

 

As always, community volunteers are welcomed and needed. If you’d like to help, contact Jean Yost at (740) 678-8060.