The Great Migration refers to the pioneers who flooded into the Midwest after the Treaty of Paris at the end of the Revolutionary War which gave us the land between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mississippi River. Millions (yes, millions) of pioneers comprised of immigrants and colonists went to the Pittsburgh area where a thriving industry of building flatboats existed. They would buy a flatboat and leave on the highway to the interior: The Ohio River.
Come listen to the lost history of the Flatboat. Also hear about a 2-county project (Perry and Spencer) to have a flatboat built and to use it from 2025-2028. The first 3 years will involve rides in the fall and educational programs for children in area schools. In 2028, Spencer County will use the Abraham Flatboat to do a reenactment of Abraham Lincoln’s trip from Rockport, Indiana to New Orleans, Louisiana.
