Point Pleasant River Museum Launches Donation Campaign

A donation from Amherst Madison to the Point Pleasant River Museum & Lakin Ray Cook Learning Center has launched a fundraising campaign to support the expansion of its towboat simulator.

Amherst Madison’s contribution will help begin the expansion of the museum’s simulator ports and river locations.

“We are incredibly honored that Amherst Madison has chosen to become the first supporter of this campaign,” said Jordan Pickens, president of the center’s board of directors. “Our simulator program has become one of the museum’s most exciting educational attractions, not only allowing visitors to experience life at the helm of a towboat but also serving as training for those in the industry. This campaign will help us expand beyond our current locations and bring even more of America’s inland waterways to life. While our home is in Point Pleasant, our mission reaches every port, every lock, every towboat and every river community across the nation’s inland river system.”

Those experiencing the simulator will be able to navigate new waterways and locations, such as the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tenn., the Ohio River at Louisville, Ky., and many other significant ports and waterways that have played vital roles in the nation’s maritime history, as funding becomes available. Contributions will also support exhibit development, artifact conservation and operational needs.

“Our goal is to create the most immersive inland waterways educational experience anywhere in the country,” said Diana Mitchell, the center’s director. “By expanding our simulator program, visitors will be able to experience navigating some of America’s most important river ports while learning about the communities, industries and people that have shaped our inland waterways. This campaign will help us continue growing those experiences for generations to come.”

The museum has experienced significant growth in recent years, welcoming thousands of visitors, expanding partnerships and developing educational programming through the Lakin Ray Cook Learning Center.

Capt. Brian Patterson, who leads the simulator expansion project as the museum’s vice president, emphasized the importance of creating authentic educational experiences that represent the entire inland towing industry.

“Our simulator program gives visitors a unique opportunity to step into the wheelhouse and experience what it’s like to operate on America’s rivers,” Patterson said. “With additional support, we’ll be able to expand into more ports and waterways, creating an experience that reflects the importance of our inland river system. At the same time, we’re preserving the history and traditions of an industry that continues to move America’s commerce every day.”

Featured photo caption: Capt. Brian Patterson, construction operations manager for Amherst Madison, presents a check to Dainna Mitchell, director of the Point Pleasant River Museum, to support the expansion of the museum’s simulator locations. (Photo courtesy of the Point Pleasant River Museum)