Howard Steamboat Museum

Howard Home
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Side view of Howard Steamboat Museum
Location:	Jeffersonville, Indiana
Coordinates:	38°16′51.99″N 85°43′33″W
Built:	1890
Architect:	Drach & Thomas
Architectural style:	Late Victorian
Governing body:	Private
NRHP Reference#:	73000031
Added to NRHP:	July 5, 1973

The Howard Steamboat Museum is located in Jeffersonville, Indiana, across from Louisville, Kentucky. Based in the old Howard home, it features items related to steamboat history.

The home was built in 1890 by Edmonds J. Howard, who inherited the family shipyard from his father James Howard, who founded the Howard Ship Yards, both in what was then Port Fulton, Indiana. It cost $100,000 to build the 22-room, 3-floor structure. Still within the museum are chandeliers, carvings, arches and a grand staircase that reflect the wealth Edmonds Howard had. As the Howards prided themselves on their hulls, a large collection of the half-breadths is displayed on the property.

Over the course of ownership of the Howard Shipyards, 3,000 ships were launched in what to its day is the largest inland shipyard in the United States. The Howard Shipyard was eventually made into Jeffboat.

On March 17, 1971, a fire broke out in the museum; the museum reopened the next year.

Since 1993, the Museum holds an annual Chautauqua in May, which features craft booths on the grounds, while inside the mansion talks are given about various topics. 2007's was about the Ohio River flood of 1937.

Picture of the Howard Mansion, taken before 1909

See also

• Henry French House
• List of attractions and events in Louisville, Kentucky
• List of maritime museums in the United States

External links

• Official website
• Howard Steamboat Museum Collection at University of Louisville Photographic Archives