Wes Modes
-
Secret History sweatshop. Prepping for setting up the @whiteboxny exhibition tomorrow #shantyboat #artshow #exhibition
Secret History sweatshop. Prepping for setting up the @whiteboxny exhibition tomorrow #shantyboat #artshow #exhibition
-
Back up in Whitehall, drop in to visit our favorite laundromat so far. #shantyboat #laudromat
Back up in Whitehall, drop in to visit our favorite laundromat so far. #shantyboat #laudromat
-
Amtrak Empire Service through upstate New York. #shantyboat #amtrak #upstate
Amtrak Empire Service through upstate New York. #shantyboat #amtrak #upstate
-
Next phase of our shantyboat journey: Amtrak north to get the truck. #shantyboat #amtrak #crazytrain
Next phase of our shantyboat journey: Amtrak north to get the truck. #shantyboat #amtrak #crazytrain
-
The western half of the historic Rondout district along Rondout Creek in Kingston. The entire largely black neighborhood east of Broadway was bulldozed as part of “urban renewal“ in the 1960s. #shantyboat #urbanrenewal #lostneighborhood #invisiblestories
The western half of the historic Rondout district along Rondout Creek in Kingston. The entire largely black neighborhood east of Broadway was bulldozed as part of “urban renewal“ in the 1960s. #shantyboat #urbanrenewal #lostneighborhood #invisiblestories
-
Current exhibits in the Jeremiah Daniels Executive Washroom Gallery aboard the shantyboat. #shantyboat #artgallery
Current exhibits in the Jeremiah Daniels Executive Washroom Gallery aboard the shantyboat. #shantyboat #artgallery
-
Though part of the American landscape since at least the 19th century, with the exception of a handful of memoirs and pulp fiction, there is very little written about shantyboat communities. #shantyboat #pulpfiction
Though part of the American landscape since at least the 19th century, with the exception of a handful of memoirs and pulp fiction, there is very little written about shantyboat communities. #shantyboat #pulpfiction
-
Leo Bower generously shared photos he’s collected of the early days of the Hudson waterfront
Leo Bower generously shared photos he’s collected of the early days of the Hudson waterfront neighborhood he grew up. In the late 1960s this whole neighborhood was bulldozed as part of urban redevelopment. #shantyboat #redevelopment #waterfront #hudsonny
-
-
-
Interview with Mary Liz and Paul Stewart about the Underground Railroad History Project they co-instigate
Interview with Mary Liz and Paul Stewart about the Underground Railroad History Project they co-instigate
-
The Daily Freeman: Shanty boat crew, docking in Kingston, gathers disappearing history of nation’s river people
The Daily Freeman by William J. Kemble KINGSTON, N.Y. >> The Hudson River is the fourth leg of a journey by Wes Modes and his shanty boat crew mates, who have spent the past four years gathering stories of how the nation’s major rivers became arteries of life flowing through the American landscape. Modes, an…
-
In the Riverport Wooden Boat School (part of the Hudson River Maritime Museum) people are building big and little boats
In the Riverport Wooden Boat School (part of the Hudson River Maritime Museum) people are building big and little boats
-
Benzy’s photo of the Hudson Lighthouse as we were returning too late and too dark across the river from Athens
Benzy’s photo of the Hudson Lighthouse as we were returning too late and too dark across the river from Athens
-
We mist have arrived at Rondout Creek in Kingston because here is the beautiful Clearwater Sloop
We mist have arrived at Rondout Creek in Kingston because here is the beautiful Clearwater Sloop
-
Interview with Leo Bower. We talked about the town of Hudson, the Fugary shantytown and the characters who lived there
Interview with Leo Bower. We talked about the town of Hudson, the Fugary shantytown and the characters who lived there, redevelopment, and changes in town
-
-
In Hudson NY there are over 120 Bangladeshi families, some of whom maintain a community garden along the river down by the Shacks. Seeing the women’s bright clothes among the rich greens of the garden was beautiful
In Hudson NY there are over 120 Bangladeshi families, some of whom maintain a community garden along the river down by the Shacks. Seeing the women’s bright clothes among the rich greens of the garden was beautiful
-
The mysteries of low tide. This is the first we’ve been in a tidal river
The mysteries of low tide. This is the first we’ve been in a tidal river
-
Exploring Hudson’s Fugery Boat Club, i.e., the North Dock Tin Boat Association or just the Shacks. A hundred year old collection of shanties whose occupants were evicted in 2013
Exploring Hudson’s Fugery Boat Club, i.e., the North Dock Tin Boat Association or just the Shacks. A hundred year old collection of shanties whose occupants were evicted in 2013
-
Spencer met us at the dock when we arrived in Hudson and was charming and helpful while we were there. He also told delightfully funny drunk stories
Spencer met us at the dock when we arrived in Hudson and was charming and helpful while we were there. He also told delightfully funny drunk stories
-
This is my selfie of the captain of the Dotty, a kinda Cap’n Bly character
This is my selfie of the captain of the Dotty, a kinda Cap’n Bly character
-
Coeymans Landing Marina
While eating dinner with my son, I received the most interesting text. Hey Jena this is on your docks. It was a picture of the most amazing boat I have ever seen in my life. I immediately finished eating and rushed out of the restaurant to make my way to Coeymans Landing Marina. Running down…
-
At ör in downtown Hudson. Beer and pool at noon on a hot day
At ör in downtown Hudson. Beer and pool at noon on a hot day
-
So far, we are impressed by Hudson‘s necklace a beautiful parks above the bluff. Hudsons middle-of-the-river lighthouse in the background
So far, we are impressed by Hudson‘s necklace a beautiful parks above the bluff. Hudsons middle-of-the-river lighthouse in the background
-
The Saratogian: Steamboat Meet brings ships, tales to Waterford
The Saratogian By Joseph Phelan WATERFORD, N.Y. >> Over the past five years Wes Modes has explored river life in the South, the Midwest and his resident West Coast, discovering stories that shape America. Modes and his shipmate, Benzy, found themselves in Waterford on Saturday at the annual Steamboat Meet at the harbor, adding stories…
-
Gathering the Untold Stories of Vanishing Hudson River People
A rustic recreated mid-century shanty boat, a daring river voyage on New York’s historic Hudson River, and a meticulous archive of river stories are all part of a compelling art and history project, “A Secret History of American River People.” The journeys are part of a larger effort that spans many years and covers multiple…
-
Seeking to understand new places as we move through them
Seeking to understand new places as we move through them
-
Dear Yachters, you are responsible for your wake when you damage other people’s boats, and you are why we hate yachters. How many ways can you interpret “No Wake Zone?
Dear Yachters, you are responsible for your wake when you damage other people’s boats, and you are why we hate yachters. How many ways can you interpret “No Wake Zone?
-
-
Miranda’s Deli in Albany, which was recommended to us by a passerby, has a long line at lunchtime
Miranda’s Deli in Albany, which was recommended to us by a passerby, has a long line at lunchtime
-
Loitering under the Livingston Ave Swing Bridge built in 1866 and replaced in 1901. We talked to Steve who operated the bridge
Loitering under the Livingston Ave Swing Bridge built in 1866 and replaced in 1901. We talked to Steve who operated the bridge
-
After we started drinking at 10am in his birthday, Miah agreed to his next tat
After we started drinking at 10am in his birthday, Miah agreed to his next tat
-
Interview with Chris Callaghan who organizes the Steamboat Meet and the Tugboat Roundup at the Waterford Harbor
Interview with Chris Callaghan who organizes the Steamboat Meet and the Tugboat Roundup at the Waterford Harbor
-
Interview with Virginia Clarkson who told us all about growing up in the Bronx and made her way to Waterford
Interview with Virginia Clarkson who told us all about growing up in the Bronx and made her way to Waterford
-
Greeting party at the Rusty Anchor floating barge bar in Troy NY
Greeting party at the Rusty Anchor floating barge bar in Troy NY
-
-
-
-
Interview with Sean, Jess, Ayla, and Mia who talked about living in small town Upstate New York
Interview with Sean, Jess, Ayla, and Mia who talked about living in small town Upstate New York
-
Welcome our new shipmate Jeremiah who has been on all five Secret History expeditions since 2014
Welcome our new shipmate Jeremiah who has been on all five Secret History expeditions since 2014
-
V, Shonica, and Carlos brought us breakfast. In exchange, we got them addicted to good espresso
V, Shonica, and Carlos brought us breakfast. In exchange, we got them addicted to good espresso
-
“We came upon a rickety house raft… putting upstream powered by an old outboard and piloted by a wrinkled, sun-tanned old man
“We came upon a rickety house raft… putting upstream powered by an old outboard and piloted by a wrinkled, sun-tanned old man
-
All of Bill’s friend join him on the tug to view the fireworks
All of Bill’s friend join him on the tug to view the fireworks
-
Exhibition in Waterford: more people than you can shake a stick at. Including my old Jr High school friend, Corey
Exhibition in Waterford: more people than you can shake a stick at. Including my old Jr High school friend, Corey
-
Exhibition in Waterford: 99 people in the log, but probably three times as many through the boat today
Exhibition in Waterford: 99 people in the log, but probably three times as many through the boat today
-
An hour hanging out on the back deck of the shantyboat with folklorist George Ward Who told us stories and sang us canal songs
An hour hanging out on the back deck of the shantyboat with folklorist George Ward Who told us stories and sang us canal songs
-
WAMC Albany: Searching For Hudson River Stories On A Shanty Boat
WAMC Public RadioBy Lucas Willard Listen Now to the WAMC Public Radio story: A recreated mid-century shanty boat is traveling down the Hudson River in search of stories. “A Secret History of American River People” is a project by a California-based artist Wes Modes. Modes took WAMC’s Southern Adirondack Bureau Chief Lucas Willard…
-
The Erie Canal starts (or ends, depending on your point of view) in Waterford New York. So big, imposing, and well-dressed, it looks like a set piece
The Erie Canal starts (or ends, depending on your point of view) in Waterford New York. So big, imposing, and well-dressed, it looks like a set piece
-
Benzy as First Mate has been keeping the ship’s log. I love this. It is charming and she writes in the third person
Benzy as First Mate has been keeping the ship’s log. I love this. It is charming and she writes in the third person
-
Steamboat Meet at Waterford NY. Tiny tiny little steam powered beasties
Steamboat Meet at Waterford NY. Tiny tiny little steam powered beasties
-
In north Troy, old money houses like these, clearly having seen better times, were next door to double wides
In north Troy, old money houses like these, clearly having seen better times, were next door to double wides
-
-
Best Friend I’ve Never Met
For many years I’ve had a total friend crush on John Young who started the original Guerilla Drive-In in West Chester, Pennsylvania (note below that he claims I had the idea first). This year, finally, the Hudson River brings us together. Here’s his sweet version of this story: Kate, Lydia, and I are headed to…
-
After 18 years, I finally get to meet John Young and his awesome family
After 18 years, I finally get to meet John Young and his awesome family
-
The shantyboat art gallery and Jeremiah Daniels Executive Washroom. Art by Sascha, Gina, Butch, Maxine, Lanette, and Jessika
The shantyboat art gallery and Jeremiah Daniels Executive Washroom. Art by Sascha, Gina, Butch, Maxine, Lanette, and Jessika
-
Best date night ever. Fireworks exploding all around us, playing cards, listening to marching band music to mask the fireworks for @gooddoghazel
Best date night ever. Fireworks exploding all around us, playing cards, listening to marching band music to mask the fireworks for @gooddoghazel
-
-
Shipmate John Young successfully completes his first certified under-over. Now he can be a roadie
Shipmate John Young successfully completes his first certified under-over. Now he can be a roadie
-
-
Proud captain of the Shantyboat Dotty @originalsportkilt
Proud captain of the Shantyboat Dotty @originalsportkilt
-
Nearly played bingo. Apparently you have to show up on time because all the cards are sold within a few minutes
Nearly played bingo. Apparently you have to show up on time because all the cards are sold within a few minutes
-
A Word About Process
A word about process. And an exploration of the dérive, the Situationist practice of an unplanned journey through an urban landscape, where wanderers abandon their preconceptions and “let themselves be drawn by the attractions of the terrain and the encounters they find there”
-
What happened down here? Half a block from the waterfront, what I had to have been the center of commerce or industry, now empty lots and ugly blocks of what look like low income housing
What happened down here? Have a block from the waterfront, what I had to have been the center of commerce or industry, now empty lots and ugly blocks of what look like low income housing
-
Thompson‘s camp. People apparently still sit on porches here, though I don’t see many of them on this very hot afternoon
Thompson‘s camp. People apparently still sit on porches here, though I don’t see many of them on this very hot afternoon
-
While there is lots of old abandoned stuff around, some of the new abandoned stuff is intriguing
While there is lots of old abandoned stuff around, some of the new abandoned stuff is intriguing
-
A river runs through it. Anthony Kill winds through Mechanicville
A river runs through it. Anthony Kill winds through Mechanicville
-
We sadly say fare-thee-well to our shipmates Ariel and Sascha
We sadly say fare-thee-well to our shipmates Ariel and Sascha
-
Post-Star: Shantyboat docks in Fort Edward to collect Hudson River stories
Post-Star by Gwendolyn Craig FORT EDWARD — It’s not every day that one might see a shantyboat floating down the Hudson River, but many people did Sunday around the Fort Edward Yacht Basin. Wes Modes, shantyboat maker, artist, story collector and captain, opened his floating home to the public, helping kick off part of the World Awareness…
-
Little beach campfire along the shore of the Hudson River
Little beach campfire along the shore of the Hudson River
-
-
Thinking more about environmental toxins
“For over 45 years, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater has been at the forefront of the environmental movement as champion of the Hudson River, working to pass landmark legislation like the Clean Water Act, and providing innovative educational programs, environmental advocacy, and musical celebrations, including the renowned annual Clearwater Festival, to inspire, educate, and activate millions…
-
-
Back alleys of Schuylerville NY. We stopped for 1) ice cream, 2) a sandwich, 3) a few groceries, 4) a quick shower, 5) a load of wash
Back alleys of Schuylerville NY. We stopped for 1) ice cream, 2) a sandwich, 3) a few groceries, 4) a quick shower, 5) a load of wash
-
-
Please welcome our new shipmates Sascha and Ariel who joined us just before we left Ft Edward
Please welcome our new shipmates Sascha and Ariel who joined us just before we left Ft Edward
-
We found an old bridge across a little creek in an inlet on the Hudson. Benzy asks: “But is it authentic?
We found an old bridge across a little creek in an inlet on the Hudson. Benzy asks: “But is it authentic?
-
-
This is where 1.3 million pounds of PCBs were discharged into the Hudson River
Benzy says: “This is where approximately 1.3 million pounds of PCBs were discharged into the Hudson River from two General Electric (GE) capacitor manufacturing plants located in the towns of Fort Edward and Hudson Falls, New York prior to 1977 when PCBs were banned. This explains the lack of fishing, swimming and boats. GE has…
-
Secret History shantyboat in Fort Edward’s Yacht Basin
Secret History shantyboat in Fort Edward’s Yacht Basin
-
If we mention that old river towns are dying, we really mean they are being killed
In the towns we’ve visited across America, the historic heart of small river towns are dying. Or more accurately, they are being killed by the Walmartization of everything. We are currently in upstate New York in Fort Edward on the Hudson River and this town is no exception. This despite the best efforts of people…
-
-
-
Arrived in Fort Edward Yacht Basin where the seawall dwarfs us a bit
Arrived in Fort Edward Yacht Basin where the seawall dwarfs us a bit
-
Results of a 1am emergency loft skeeter netting encapsulation project. Despite the rain, apparently we had posted up in Mosquito Central near Lock 8
Results of a 1am emergency loft skeeter netting encapsulation project. Despite the rain, apparently we had posted up in Mosquito Central near Lock 8
-
Posted up right under the surprisingly fancy signal at Lock 8 for the night
Posted up right under the surprisingly fancy signal at Lock 8 for the night
-
Interview with Brian Abrams, Chief Lock Operator at Lock 9 on the Champlain Canal, who talked about his 21 years on the NY Canal System
Interview with Brian Abrams, Chief Lock Operator at Lock 9 on the Champlain Canal, who talked about his 21 years on the NY Canal System
-
We are on the water!
Just a quick note to let you know that yes, after four harrowing hair-silvering days on the road, over 3,038 miles through 12 states, we arrived safely in New York with no major mishaps. No wheels fell off. No engines or transmissions exploded. We made it to the quaint little town of Whitehall, New York.…
-
Shantyboat moored at Lock 9 on the Champlain Canel
Shantyboat moored at Lock 9 on the Champlain Canel
-
Traffic stopped on bridge over the canal to watch us go by
Traffic stopped on bridge over the canal to watch us go by
-
We are under way. Down the Champlain Canal after ascending in Lock 12
We are under way. Down the Champlain Canal after ascending in Lock 12
-
New deck cleat plates and the tools required to install them
New deck cleat plates and the tools required to install them
-
Because we have so many cool old stone buildings we can use them for coal storage
Because we have so many cool old stone buildings we can use them for coal storage
-
-
Hazel hero shot. Contemplating her soon-to-be nautical life
Hazel hero shot. Contemplating her soon-to-be nautical life
-
First cup of coffee sitting on the deck in sunshine at Whitehall Marina above the Champlain Canal
First cup of coffee sitting on the deck in sunshine at Whitehall Marina above the Champlain Canal
-
We arrived in Whitehall NY at Lock 11 after 3038 miles and only a few near catastrophes
We arrived in Whitehall NY at Lock 11 after 3038 miles and only a few near catastrophes
-
-
-
Fuck Indiana roads
Fuck Indiana roads. Are they trying to rival California’s notoriously shitty roads? It shakes the shit out of our teeth and sends the boat into dangerous oscillations