The River Heritage Museum
by Corey Dunn (February 28, 2006)
The River Heritage Museum, located at 117 South Water Street, celebrates the four rivers of the region. Housed in downtown's oldest standing building, the museum is a restored, federal style structure, which will feature interactive river exhibits to open in March 2003. Presently, visitors may enjoy a model steamboat exhibit, the Polly Newman riverboat painting collection and period antique furnishings in the refurbished Founders Room. Also included with the museum tour are the Maiden Alley Cinema and the observation deck overlooking the towboat simulators at Seamen's Church Institute's Center for Maritime Education. Preplanned tours available M-F 10:00-3:00. Donations appreciated.
HISTORY OF 117-119 SOUTH WATER STREET
The River Heritage Museum is located within the oldest surviving antebellum building in Paducah's historic downtown. Known locally as the Petter Building, this two-story, double-pile, brick structure was built circa 1843 to house the newly formed Branch Bank of Louisville. The building still exhibits the original molded lintels, parapet end walls, and denticulated cornice that are characteristic features of the Greek Revival style.
The Branch Bank of Louisville opened with a capital stock of $200,000, a cashier named Adam Rankin, and James Campbell as the first president. The bank operated until the period economic uncertainty that accompanied the Civil War.
Adam and Sophy Rankin resided in the north first floor and the entire second floor during his employment. In 1848, documented meetings were held in the parlor to organize what is now Grace Episcopal Church.
From the mid-1870s to 1890, situated on what was then called Main Street, the structure housed at least three separate river front hotels.
In 1890, Henry A. Petter bought the building and established a hardware and provisions business that specialized in mill and steamboat supplies. Serving the steamboat community throughout the early twentieth century, the Petter Supply Company changed with the times and eventually became a dealer in industrial supplies.
The Petter family sold the property to the City of Paducah in 1995, and in 1996 it was leased to the Seaman's Church Institute. Renovations to the facade have restored the beauty of the antebellum structure, which serves as the entrance to the River Heritage Museum.
The beautifully restored second floor overlooks the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. Painstaking effort went into preserving this historic downtown treasure and is evident in its original floors and fireplaces, elegant staircase and unique doors and window casings. One large and two smaller rooms are complemented with period furnishings-perfect for entertaining.
|
