Our mission is to provide waterfront access and programs in education and the arts on board an historic vessel.

We actively are restoring a 94 year-old wooden vessel that is the only surviving example of how goods were transported prior to today's system of containerization, trucking, bridges and tunnels.

We operate as a floating classroom and showboat barge.

Open Hours are Thursdays 4 - 8 pm & Saturdays 1 - 5 pm. Other times with scheduled appointments.

In 2009 we will tour the Hudson River visiting town docks from NYC to Albany.

Description and/or History:
The Museum is housed aboard the only wooden barge of the “lighterage era” (1860-1960) that is still floating in America – which has earned it a listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The Mission of the Hudson Waterfront Museum is to:
• Provide public access to the New York Harbor for use and enjoyment by the general public.
• Provide a unique facility capable of showcasing the waterfront's positive aspects and creating a cultural destination.
• Provide free and low-cost opportunities for education, exhibition, and the performance arts.
• Provide an educational curriculum and maritime/environmental education program for schools and organizations.
• Promote our rich maritime heritage via the historic preservation of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Barge #79 and advocate for developing additional docking facilities for historic vessels at town docks along our water highway.

The Lehigh Valley Railroad Barge #79, built in 1914, is the only floating wooden covered barge of its kind.

In her eighteen-year history as a showboat and classroom, hundreds of thousands have come to the waterfront to participate in Museum programs and events.

The Waterfront Museum relocated to Red Hook, Brooklyn in 1994 after seven years of operations with ports-of-call including Liberty State Park in Jersey City, South Street Seaport in NYC, Piermont, NY and others. Barge #79 was rescued from Edgewater, NJ in 1985, where she had been made obsolete by major shifts in the shipping industry in the 1950’s. Prior to that period, railroad companies maintained large fleets of barges to bring goods between railroad terminals, across and along the Hudson River for consumer use, and for shipment overseas. Barge #79 had been sunk in up to 8 feet of mud (inside). After nine years of mud removal, caulking and repairs, the barge was returned virtually to her original 1914 condition.

In 1989 she opened as a Museum with the mission to provide educational and cultural programs to the general public and to advocate for waterfront access.

Contact people:

David Sharps, President, (718) 624-4719, (email) Alison Tocci, Board President, (646) 432-3015, (email) George Tocci, Treasurer, (718) 935-9019, (email)

Address:

290 Conover St. Brooklyn, NY, NY 11231 (See a map)

Directions:

By Subway & Bus: A,C,F,2,3,4,5 to Jay St./Borough Hall or M, N, R to Court Street Station. Take the B-61 Bus from the corner of Court and Atlantic Street towards Red Hook to the next to last stop. (Corner of Van Brunt and Beard Streets.) Walk in the opposite direction the bus is heading after it stops, crossover Van Brunt and proceed one block to the end of Beard St. Turn left on Conover Street and go two blocks to the water's edge. You’ll see the garden pier and the Lehigh Valley Railroad Barge #79 on your right. Another bus that comes close is the B-77 Bus that stops on Conover Street and Coffey St. Get off bus and walk down Conover to the waterfront. Proceed to the red barge in the water. Call for directions by car or visit www.waterfrontmuseum.org   Nearest Metro/Subway Stop: Smith & Ninth or Borough Hall/Jay St.,   Walk distance (in minutes): 30   Nearest Bus Stop: B 77 & B 61, 3 min minute walk