Rediscover the golden era of majestic river boats as part of a coach tour offered by Old Economy Village to Marietta, Ohio’s for the American Sternwheel Association’s 33rd Annual Sternwheeler festival in September. The tour departs Friday, September 5th and returns Sunday, September 7th, 2008.

Participants will discover the story of steamboat travel along the Ohio River during its golden age while learning about the Harmony Society’s own investments in riverboats for travel & commerce on the Ohio & Mississippi River. Accompanying the tour will be Mrs. B.G. Shields, past Executive Director of the Sewickley Valley Historical Society, who will share her personal remembrances of Captain Frederick Way of Sewickley. Captain Way was a river pilot and author of many books on the history of steamboats on the Ohio River. His great-grandfather, Abishai Way, also of Sewickley, was shipping agent for the Harmony Society in the years prior to the Civil War.

Beginning at the Hannibal Locks & Dam, the tour group will explore the unique wicket dam & the maneuver boat display depicting the history of navigation on the Ohio River. At the Ohio River Museum in Marietta tour members will board the W.P. Snyder, Jr., the last intact steam-powered, stern-wheeled towboat in the United States and glimpse river steam boating along the Ohio River system. At the Campus Martius Museum, participants will learn about the first organized American settlement in the Northwest Territory in the late 18th century.

An evening dinner cruise on the Valley Gem Sternwheeler will be accompanied by 19th century magician Dr. Charlatan's Medicine Show. The evening will wrap up with fireworks on the Ohio River Levee. No trip would be complete without a visit to the Marietta Earthworks built by the Hopewell culture (100 BC – AD 500) along the Muskingum & Ohio Rivers. Or, chat with "Marietta's own American Revolution Naval Hero!" Commodore Abraham Whipple, as portrayed by his 5th Great Grandson, David Whipple Paige. Enjoy festival activities & cheer for your favorite during the Sternwheeler Races.

This three day, two night trip departs Friday at Noon from Old Economy Village’s Visitor Center and returns Sunday at 9:00 p.m. Registration includes: escorted narrated trip aboard a deluxe motor coach, admission fees to museums, taxes & gratuities on included meals & lodgings, one lunch & one dinner, two nights lodging, two continental breakfasts and one dinner cruise on a sternwheeler.

Early registration discount for those registering by May 16th:
Friends of Old Economy Village Members: $425 per person, double occupancy*, $606 per person, single occupancy;
Non-Members: $450 per person, double occupancy*, $631 per person, single occupancy;

Regular registration May 17th-July 19th: $475 per person, double occupancy*, $656 per person, single occupancy

*maximum 2-4 persons per room

Should you be unable to join this tour, Old Economy Village is open Tuesday through Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Sunday: Noon - 5:00 p.m. The site is closed Mondays and holidays except Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day (call for hours.) Please allow 2 hours for a visit. Admission is charged.

Economy, a National Historic Landmark Site, has 17 restored, original structures furnished with collection from the Harmony Society, a German communal group known for its industrial prosperity in textiles and manufacturing, railroad investments and winemaking. Visitors may encounter traditional craftsmen and can perform historic chores, view the formal gardens, original paintings, books and tools. The Visitor Center offers visitors an orientation film, a permanent exhibit on the Harmony Society, and a new exhibit entitled Out of Harmony, which discusses the tensions and divisions which existed within the outwardly peaceful Harmonist community.

People with disabilities who need special assistance or accommodation to attend the Workshop or visit the site should call (724) 266-4500 in advance of their visit to discuss their needs. Pennsylvania TDD relay service is available at (800) 654-5984.

Old Economy Village, located off Route 65 in the National Historic Landmark District of Ambridge, is one of 25 historic sites and museums on the Pennsylvania Trail of History®, administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission. For more information or to request a free 24-page visitor guide, visit www.phmc.state.pa.us or phone toll free 1-866-PA TRAIL. For more information on Old Economy Village visit www.oldeconomyvillage.org.