Next month the State Museum's full-scale replica 1790s Mohawk River batteau "Discovery", built in 1991, goes on exhibit as part of the new "Windows on New York" installation. But few people completely understand why this 30 foot long wooden boat was created.

It was the vehicle, in every sense of the word, for a four year program of field outreach that carried the insights gathered from Museum research to communities across the State. This research explored the era of inland navigation and canals that led up to the better known Erie Canal. As a bicentennial program, these discoveries were now being shared with the very places along the waterways that had been part of that history, 200 years earlier.

As a special project for "New York State History Month - 2001", a website has been created that allows you to virtually sail along with the crew in this boat during its four years on the canals and waterways of New York State.

Climb aboard at: http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/batteau/index.html



Philip Lord, Jr.
Director, Division of Museum Services
New York State Museum
Room CEC 3097 - Empire State Plaza
Albany, NY
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
(518) 486-2037
Website: http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/services.html