Owl Light Outings-Finger Lakes Boating Museum

by D.E. Bentley and T. Touris –

One of the types of Owl Light Outings we plan to do more of is visiting museums.  We had just that opportunity when we traveled to Pleasant Valley, NY, just south of Keuka Lake, during a sunny April Saturday.  The idea of a museum dedicated to boats and boating in the Finger Lakes seems like a no-brainer, and to the dedicated individuals who imagined and brought the museum to life it was.

The Finger Lakes Boating Museum opened its doors in 2014, in the former Taylor wine building.  Their mission is “Preserving our boating heritage,” and based on the extensive collection of boats and related historic memorabilia, along with a growing offering of educational programming, they are well on their way to doing just that.

The history of boating in the Finger Lakes is a rich and enduring one, and the collection spans generations.  The numerous displays include The Canoe Room, Fishing Boats and Row Boats, The Second Floor exhibit Hall – which includes inboards, The Ed Wightman Exhibit Hall – with boat molds and lakes-related exhibits, and the Steamboat room.  A children’s area has been also been thoughtfully added to the floor plan, making this a worthy destination for family groups with children.

The self-guided tour begins with a 13-minute video that provides an overview of the museum.  From there, it moves to the Steamboat Room where local model artist Steve Harvey has meticulously recreated scale models of steamboats from the four largest lakes.  Perhaps, given time and grace, Mr. Stevens will complete the steamboat replicas of the larger lakes and have time to also contribute models of the beautiful steamboats that offered luxury accommodations to travelers on the smaller lakes.  His work is impressive, and this alone makes the trip to the museum worthwhile.

For anyone who has an interest in boats and the history of boat building in the Finger Lakes, the extensive and varied collection – only a fraction of which can be on display – a day could easily be spent learning more.  The museum’s boat collection includes (80) wooden trout boats.  The six trout boats on display, by known and unknown local boat builders, include the oldest boat in the collection, the Sutherland double ender built by Henry Sutherland in 1905.  All of the boats on display are accompanied by historical information about the boats and boat builders.  There is also more general information about boatbuilding as a craft.  There are some absolutely striking examples of restored wooden boats.

For those who prefer speed and luxury over fish and oars, the second floor exhibit hall houses a bevy of wooden inboard beauties. You’ll be tempted to run out and get a wicker picnic basket and spend the afternoon sitting in the Elizabeth Ellen – a 1910 26’ launch built by the Fay and Bowen Engine Company of Geneva. She shares the room with an impressive collection of runabouts – speedy little numbers perfect for pulling a water skier or two. Their brightwork, the wooden parts of the boat left natural and carefully varnished to a mirror finish, dazzles the eye.

After drooling over this collection, make sure you visit the boat shop. Here you should see a boator two being built or restored. You’ll probably want to sign up for a course or workshop after seeing a bit of the fascinating process of boat building.

The only downside to visiting the museum is not being able to see some of these beautiful boats in their natural environment – the water. However, don’t despair, the 41st Finger Lakes Antique and Classic Boat Show is being held in Skaneateles July 26 – 28.

We spent a couple pleasant hours looking over the collection and plan to visit again, and when time allows become more involved.  While we were there, slowly reading and taking in what the museum has to offer, a couple breezed through – Don’t! There is so much here. Take it in and then take the time to get out there, on the water, to rejoice in the region that inspired this rich and rewarding history of boats.