The S&D Reflector - America's Steam & Diesel Riverboat Magazine

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The S&D Reflector - America's Steam & Diesel Riverboat Magazine

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAGAZINE TODAY - VISIT: www.riverhistory.org This passion was furthered in 1964 when Capt. Fred Way, Jr. Mr. J. Upon his death in 1973, J.

Overview of the S&D Reflector and Its Publishing Organization The Sons & Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen:

Founded in 1939, the Sons & Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen have long been a historical society with a mission to preserve and promote River History. published the first issue of the S&D Reflector. For over 50 years the historical quarterly magazine has been the flagship vessel of the organizatio

n. Its insightful and historical articles, excellent contributors, and inland river current events make the S&D Reflector the professional and quality magazine that it is today. Among the many projects and affiliations of the Sons & Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen are the following:

- The Inland Rivers Library was established in 1956 in cooperation with the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County by the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen. Housed in the Library's Rare Books and Special Collections Department, the Inland Rivers Library is a major resource for books, manuscripts photographs, maps, and ephemera dealing with the Western Rivers. The Library continues to enhance this collection through purchases as well as donations by S&D subscribers and others.

- The J. Mack Gamble Fund is established to promote the historical and educational purposes of the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen in keeping with J. Mack Gamble’s life-long interests as historian, author and educator. Mack Gamble was the first president of the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen. His father was an owner of packet boats operating in the Upper Ohio River trades in the late 19th and the first decade of the 20th century. For many years, he was also the chairman of the Board of Governors of S&D and was a leader in promotion of its aims and projects. Mack Gamble had worked for a brief period as a packet boat clerk before attending college but his life’s work was as an educator. He held a master’s degree in education and history from Ohio University in Athens and, after teaching at several one-room country schools in Monroe County, Ohio, was long the principal of the Clarington (Ohio) Elementary School. Mack Gamble gave a sizeable bequest to the Sons and Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen. This bequest was used to establish the J. Mack Gamble Fund in 1976. The Fund is administered for the Board of Governors by three trustees.

- Most educational programs at the Ohio River Museum are geared for 3rd through 8th grades with special programming available for all ages. Programs focus on the relationship between people and the river. View steamboat models and artifacts from hundreds of inland boats. Learn about freshwater mussels and the impact that invasive species such as the zebra mussel have had on native species. Many more learning opportunities are available. Ask for details when scheduling! Ask about Hometown History on Wheels! Bus transportation cost reimbursement available to Washington County schools through donations from area groups and individuals on a limited basis. When scheduling, ask for details.

09/28/2025

Photos from the weekend's festivities during the 2025 S&D Annual Meeting held on September 12th & 13th in Marietta, OH!

08/20/2025

Our 2025 Annual S&D Meeting is quickly approaching! Don't forget to submit the reservation form that accompanied the June 2025 Reflector, this form and payment must be returned no later than September 5th.

08/13/2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of longtime S&D member James "Jim" Prince Bupp, who crossed the bar this past Sunday at the age of 99 years young in Charleston, WV. Jim served as a steadfast trustee of the J. Mack Gamble Fund until the day of his passing, and his breadth of knowledge along with his commitment to the preservation of river history will be greatly missed.

A memorial service will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, September 20th at Bible Center Church in Charleston, WV where Jim was a member for 56 years. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Bupp family, and sound one long and two shorts today in his honor.

08/06/2025

S&D officers and members of the board were honored to be included in yesterday's ribbon cutting ceremony of the new I-77 Ohio Welcome Center located just north of Marietta, OH. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine praised S&D's contribution to this new Ohio Welcome Center, which has a beautiful model of the steamboat SUNSHINE from the S&D collection on display for all visitors to see as they pass through. More about this event will be coming in your September 2025 issue of the Reflector, but be sure to stop in at this beautiful new welcome center on your next visit to the area!

05/27/2025

A special message from your S&D Reflector Editor David Tschiggfrie:
"Your June 2025 Reflector inaugurates a new contest! Hidden in the pages of this issue is a city which has been placed on the wrong river. Be the first to find what was definitely not an oversight on the part of your esteemed Editor, and win a well-worn copy of the Limited Edition Rand McNally "Wherezat?" Atlas! To help in your search, your Editor has generously repeated the "error" three times in the same article. Happy hunting!"

05/01/2025

Numerous S&D members working in the river industry were on hand today for an industry interaction event with students of Cabell & Mason County schools in West Virginia. This event was organized by We Work the Waterways and held at the Point Pleasant River Museum & Lakin Ray Cook Learning Center in Point Pleasant, WV. A great morning interacting with possible future rivermen & women!

04/28/2025

Thanks to Capt. David Smith for writing up an excellent article published in this week's Waterways Journal about the recent groundbreaking at the Ohio River Museum in Marietta!

In a ceremony held along the banks of the Muskingum River in Marietta, Ohio, on April 11, ground was broken for the new Ohio River Museum to be built there.

04/27/2025

"Timberhead", an excellent documentary published by Union Barge Line. This film was produced by Mode Art Productions, which was founded by S&D member Robert L. Stone. A wonderful look back at our river industry's history!

This Union Barge Line film is an excellent documentary showing scenes along our nation's waterways when diesel powered towboats were still in their infancy. ...

04/12/2025

The Sons & Daughters of Pioneer Rivermen would like everyone to wish a very happy 50th birthday today to the Str. NATCHEZ! We can't wait to see her on the Ohio River again in October for America's River Roots Festival!

04/10/2025

Today's "Throwback Thursday" album features a set of photos recently re-discovered, all photos were taken during an S&D luncheon in 2014. This luncheon was held overlooking the beautiful Ohio River in Clarington, OH and was a celebration of S&D's 75th Anniversary!

04/02/2025

Day #3 of demolition at the Ohio River Museum in Marietta, OH is complete! Work crews beat the incoming deluge of rain and were able to crib up and move the Shantyboat (which is part of the S&D collection) out of the work site and onto adjacent property for storage.

The rubble from Building #1 has been hauled away, and temporary access is now in place for Building #2. This building will remain intact throughout the construction process of the new museum building as it is serving as storage for numerous S&D collection items that were previously on display at the museum.

04/01/2025

Day #2 of demolition at the Ohio River Museum in Marietta, OH is in the books, and Building #1 has now been officially demolished.

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Marietta, OH
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Website

http://www.riverhistory.org/

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