This museum  showcases a rare and diverse collection of documents and artifacts depicting life and work along the river from the early flatboats & keelboats to the rise and fall of the Steamboat era.  Map and boat murals,artifacts, ledgers and a fine collection of steamboat photographs such as that of the steamer U.P. Schenck, help illustrate this region’s place in river history and lore.

During the height of the steamboat era (1850-1920) dozens of steamboats stopped in Switzerland County weekly. The river was the lifeline of Switzerland County as food and supplies were brought in, while local produce and manufactured goods were shipped to market. Early maps show as many as 18 landings located in Switzerland County. One of these landings is located at the site of the (Thiebaud Farmstead) Agriculture Museum currently under development.