2020 Exhibit - "Mary Powell: Queen of the Hudson"
Built in 1861, decommissioned in 1917, and scrapped between 1919 and 1921, the Mary Powell remained a Hudson Valley constant during a period of incredible social and technological change in the United States. She saw the duration of the Civil War, the industrial revolution, the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, and the start of the First World War. Called “Queen of the Hudson” before construction was even completed, the Mary Powell became an iconic symbol of “America’s Rhine.” Operated for most of her career by one enterprising family - the Andersons - Mary Powell also represented the best of Hudson River travel - the speed, elegance, safety, and attention to detail that made travel by water preferable for many throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries.
This exhibit will highlight original artifacts from the Mary Powell and place her in historical context with a comprehensive timeline of Hudson River Valley and national history throughout her career. Special emphasis will be placed on the people who experienced her first-hand, from the Anderson family (including canine mascot Buster) and crew, to the local residents and tourists who composed poems eulogizing her “death” as she was scrapped.
This exhibit will highlight original artifacts from the Mary Powell and place her in historical context with a comprehensive timeline of Hudson River Valley and national history throughout her career. Special emphasis will be placed on the people who experienced her first-hand, from the Anderson family (including canine mascot Buster) and crew, to the local residents and tourists who composed poems eulogizing her “death” as she was scrapped.
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This exhibit is supported in part by the Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River Valley National Heritage Area.
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