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Current Exhibits

Enjoy all the many exhibits found at the River Discovery Center. We are currently undergoing some upgrades to a few of our exhibits. Check back soon for updates!

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Boat Simulator

Take a turn at the wheel: In this state-of-the-art audio-visual experience, you can “captain” a speed boat, a towboat or a Coast Guard vessel in a variety of scenarios, including daytime or nighttime. The center’s simulator, the first of its kind to be open to the general public, was created by the same company that builds simulators for the maritime industry and navies around the world. The simulator’s equipment is very realistic, and you will feel the vibration of the boat and the sounds will be similar to those experienced on each of the vessels. Enjoy driving the boat in a leisure fashion or give it full throttle for a more exciting experience. However, you drive or whichever scenario you choose, you will be guaranteed a memorable experience in the simulator.

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24 Hours on the River

River Spy

Hidden Highway

With a live video feed, the visitor will have a turn at the pilot wheel to see how busy the river traffic has been over the last 24 hours. Guests will enjoy going back over the past 24 hours to see all the action on the river and feel like a captain at the same time.

This exhibit gives the visitor a great perspective of how vast the river system is, and how many different waterways make up the Mississippi River watershed. This audio-visual experience allows you to select a departure city and arrival city and then you watch as the board shows you which waterways are used, the elevations above sea level and the total distance traveled. Most of us are not aware of many of our navigable waterways, so be prepared to learn much at this exhibit.

Get connected to the river with this exhibit. With a live video feed, for close-ups zoom in on the boats on the river. See what kind of vessels are moving, which are tied up, and what cargo is being moved on the river.

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Music Stations

Hear the music of the river from different eras that play homage to the life on the steamboats. Music includes Glendy Burke, Shawneetown and John Gilbert and 4 captains of that era as well: Nye, Miller, Ryman and Richardson.

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Civil War

Flood of 1937

Boat Captain

This exhibit pays homage to the role of the rivers during the Civil War. Not only were the rivers used to transport troops, but they were also fundamental in supplying the troops with supplies, cannons, ammunition, etc. The photographs on the wall show the ironclads and timber-clads of that era. As one can see, those boats were just steamboats commandeered into military service. Given a tough outer layer of protection, the steamboats were made more impervious to enemy fire. Also included in the exhibit is a leather coal scuttle used to fire up the steamboat engines. The utensils are indicative of the type the soldiers would have used on the battlefield. The gun and saber are typical of weapons of that war. Also included in the exhibit is a steamboat whistle as well as a cannonball.

The model included in this exhibit area is typical of a late 1800’s steamboat captain. The designation, Captain, was an honorific title given to the person in command of a boat. The audio stations allow the visitor to learn more about past notable river captains. Included in the narratives is the story of Capt. Mary Miller, the first woman to receive her Steamboat Masters license.

The 1937 flood was one of the most devastating floods in U.S. history, heavily impacting Paducah, Kentucky. The Ohio River rose to catastrophic levels due to a combination of heavy rainfall and melting snow, reaching a peak of 60.8 feet on January 23, 1937, far above the flood stage of 39 feet. Thousands of residents were displaced, and the flood caused millions of dollars in damage. It took years for the city to fully recover. The 1937 flood remains a significant chapter in Paducah's history, and its impact on the region influenced future flood control efforts. Guests will view pictures from the impact of this historic flood and see a boat that was used to help rescue stranded people from their homes.

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River Bottoms

This exhibit includes mussel and dredge boat displays with a 2-minute video about non-source pollution and water quality. There are a variety of features discussed at the river bottoms exhibit including: mussels, non-source pollution, water quality, river geology, and dredging. All of these topics are incredibly important to the river bottoms and effect the day to day life of those working on the river.

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River Habitats

Annabelle

Habitat Corner: The River Floodplain is the last line of defense for reducing soil and nutrient loss from the land. It includes hardwood forests which give refuge to a variety of birds and other wildlife and sustains insects which are food for the birds. Near the shorelines of the river and the bars, silt collects and stumps and snags can be seen rising out of the water as well, providing ideal habitat for fish. At the River Habitat corner you will see an example of a large snag that might be seen coming out of the water. The Ohio River aquatic habitat supports some 200 species of native fish. Recreational fishing is a popular sport all along the Ohio River and its associated waters. Also living in the aquatic habitat are several species of turtles and many other animals.

Visitors will enjoy meeting Annabelle, the Museum’s rescue map turtle, who enjoys sunning on her rock and hiding under the log. Be sure to stop by and say hi!

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EJ's Otterville -

Children's Play Area

Fun and interactive area for small children to enjoy. Children will have a hands-on experience with fun river-related activities.

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Delta Queen

Corps of Engineers Diving Suit

The Delta Queen was a historic paddlewheel steamboat that operated as a passenger vessel along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. The original vessel was built in 1927, and is known for its elegant, vintage design and rich history as a luxurious riverboat. The model found at the River Discovery Center is a replica made in 19XX by Guy Williams. The gentleman that made the model never saw the boat in person. He made it completely based off of pictures and written stories about it. The model’s paddlewheel spins, the rooms light up and music plays just as if it was floating down the Ohio River again.

The Mark V diving suit, used to perform maintenance on our nation’s dams and was used as late as the 1980’s. Guests can view the air hose that attached to the 65-pound helmet. Also included in the display is a pair of brass shoes used to stabilize a diver in the “pitch-black” darkness of a muddy river. Divers today use modern scuba diving gear making any diving operation more efficient and safer. Donated by the US Army Corps of Engineers.

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River Film

Upstairs in the Founder’s Room, visitors may enjoy a film called Rivers: Heart of our Nation. This 15-minute film is an overview of the importance of the river in our daily lives. Guests will learn about river history, flooding, recreation on the river, hydro-electric power and the towing industry. Visitors are welcome to explore the space and enjoy the view over the flood wall where you can see the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers.

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