tennesee
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Shantyboat home in Felton California
Shantyboat home in Felton California. Benzy has to lift the telephone wires on the little road up to where the shantyboat nestles in the redwoods
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Shantyboat in the Paducah Labor Day Parade
Shantyboat in the Paducah Labor Day Parade. Nathan Lynn playing banjo while Wes tries to make banjo sounds that are not too disharmonious. Photo by Mitch Kimball
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Looking through the Mary Wheeler collection at the Paducah Library
Looking through the Mary Wheeler collection at the McCracken County Library
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Rev Kempton Baldridge one of a few chaplains for more than 4000 towboats
Rev Kempton Baldridge one of a few chaplains for more than 4000 towboats and riverboats on American Rivers
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Shantyboat On display
Shantyboat On display today and tomorrow. Open House 10-2pm Saturday at the River Discovery Museum on Water St in Paducah
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Bruce Walker king of the bar-b-Que in north Paducah
Bruce Walker king of the bar-b-Que in north Paducah at A&J’s BBQ. We had a great conversation about the neighborhood and then he made the most delectable ribs I’ve had all year
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David Nickell talks about his family history in the Land Between the Rivers
David Nickell talks about his family history in the Land Between the Rivers, an intense story of government betrayal and intrigue
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Merryman Kemp founder of Merryman House
Maryman Kemp founder of Maryman House, a shelter for survivors of domestic violence. Interview in Anita’s garden
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Louie Kirchhoff baker in Paducah for 75 years
Louie Kirchhoff who has lived in Paducah for 75 years, much of the time running his families bakery on 2nd Street since 1873
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Nathan Blake Lynn, musician, historian, and amateur folk musicologist
Nathan Blake Lynn, musician, historian, and amateur folk musicologist. Interview at Paducah riverfront at dawn
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African glass beads at the Paducah Farmers Market
African glass beads at Melanie and Erileigh’s stall at the Paducah Farmers Market. So much good stuff, fresh veggies and fruit. Shantyboat parked at edge of market
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Shantyboat from Founder’s Room at the River Discovery Center
Shantyboat seen through the windows of the Founder’s Room at the River Discovery Center in Paducah where the Secret History installation will be for the next two weeks
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My favorite Secret History paparazzi photo
My favorite Secret History paparazzi photo. Back from the Benzy as ships mate days
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Adrian playing dress up
Adrian playing dress up. He already had the radio on so we could listen to radio chatter as they blew up a major highway span we were crossing under. Thanks to friends in Guntersville for the sweet patches
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Oh no! Freddie’s transmission died in the middle of Lake Kentucky
Oh no! We lost the rest of Freddie’s transmission in the middle of Lake Kentucky
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Old Danville Grain Elevator submerged by the inundated Tennessee River
Old Danville Grain Elevator submerged by the inundated Tennessee River in the flooded town of Danville
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Our first volunteer fish dinner
Our first volunteer fish dinner! When we to hop in the johnboat to pick up new ships mate Penske, we found he had jumped in during our rough traversal of Kentucky Lake
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Two Weeks in Paducah, Kentucky
Join us in Paducah Kentucky for a two week long series of Secret History events. Modes has exhibited the project in Knoxville, Chattanooga, Huntsville, and Florence, and will end his historic journey at the Port of Paducah. The project will be exhibiting for two weeks starting August 23rd in partnership with the Paducah Arts Alliance.
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Not everyone knows it’s good luck to pass under a train bridge
Not everyone knows it’s good luck to pass under a train bridge and extra if it has a train and even more if it’s moving. So it was a lucky day
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David “Scoop” Anderson who worked on riverboats and towboats for years
Davis “Scoop” Anderson who worked on riverboats and rowboats for years, finally settling out as a newspaper editor (earning his nickname
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Shantyboat in the secret abandoned MARINA OF THE DAMNED
Shantyboat in the secret abandoned marina of the planet of the apes
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![Dramatic skies over the shantyboat on the Tennessee River [VIDEO & PANORAMA]](https://peoplesriverhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/shantyboat-stormy-skies-edit.jpg)
Dramatic skies over the shantyboat on the Tennessee River [VIDEO & PANORAMA]
Dramatic skies over the shantyboat on the Tennessee River near the confluence of the Duck River with Adrian fishing from the bow
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We learn to read the river: this beautiful herringbone pattern precedes larger wind waves
We learn to read the river: this beautiful herringbone pattern precedes larger wind waves. A steady breeze over a reach creates tiny ripples that reinforce each other, becoming swells that can become challenging for the shantyboat
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Pete Selmeci who’s job is to fix big boats and move them around
Pete Selmeci who’s job is to fix big boats and move them around. He was limping this disabled Love Boat with his business partner Mark downriver. He helped us look at our own limping Freddie Mercury who lost reverse gear and supplied is with rum and coke
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Lost at the rainy end of the world! Next episode of the SHANTYBOAT GUYS
Lost at the rainy end of the world! Next episode of the SHANTYBOAT GUYS
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Life without the internets! Next on the SHANTYBOAT GUYS
Life without the internets! Next on the SHANTYBOAT GUYS
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Barges in the mist
Barges in the mist. People ask us constantly if the tows give us any trouble. After over 1000 miles on inland waters we can definitively say, No, towboat crews are professional, more courteous, more responsible, and create less wake than big yachts
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The folks at Clifton Marina treated us super decently
The folks at Clifton Marina treated us super decently. Say hi to Sonja and Gene when you come by on the Tennessee River
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An afternoon roadtrip on Tennessee back roads
An afternoon roadtrip on Tennessee back roads. Age and I escape in the Marina loaner beater car
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Jackie Irvin runs an opiate addiction program at Jabbok Refuge Center Church
Jackie Irvin who runs an opiate addiction program at Jabbok Refuge Center Church talks to us about growing up Black in small town Tennessee, her faith, her (mostly white) clients, and racism in the South
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Serious beverage situation on the next episode of the SHANTYBOAT GUYS
Serious beverage situation on the next episode of the SHANTYBOAT GUYS
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Main St of Saltillo leads right down a boat ramp to the river
Captivating on several levels. Main St of Saltillo leads right down a boat ramp to the river with a half dozen stop signs near the end. Perhaps they had a problem’tDriveInTheRiver
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Roger Lard, fisherman near Savannah TN
Roger Lard, fisherman near Savannah TN, trotline trays in the foreground and live catfish tank in the background
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Living the shantyboaters celebrity lifestyle upriver at a local party beach
After our thorough ten-minute tour of Savannah Tennessee, we went upriver to a kind of local party spot sandbar where we were regaled with stories, loaded up with beer, given hats with local logos, and generally lived the shantyboaters celebrity lifestyle. People asked lots of curious questions and enjoyed a snort or two of Dr…
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Shantyboat bloody marys for three days provided by generous folks
Shantyboat bloody marys for three days provided by our generous hosts upriver, Mark & Rachel. Thanks sister Heather
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Jabbok Refuge Center Church service just a few doors down from the Tennessee River Museum
Jabbok Refuge Center Church service. Just a few doors down from the museum where Black stories have been erased
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At Tennessee River Museum in Savannah TN the history of Black people is completely erased
Tennessee River Museum in Savannah TN, like many river museums I’ve visited that extensively explore area history including the geology, native people, steamboat era, musseling & fishing, and a great deal about the civil war without ever once mentioning slavery, emancipation or African Americans in any way. Black people are completely missing from the story…
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The landscape where one of the great battles of the American Civil War was fought
Pittsburg Landing, the landscape where one of the great battles of the American Civil War was fought, the Battle of Shiloh. Confederate forces surprise attacked a Union division lead by Ulysses Grant working their way up the Tennessee River. The Union Army prevailed only because they were reinforced by several divisions on day two
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The Delta Mariner that carries rocket parts back and forth between Cape Canaveral and Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsvile
The Delta Mariner a vessel unlike any we’ve seen passes by us. We think it is the huge ship that carries rocket parts back and forth between Cape Canaveral and Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsvile
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Rooster’s Dogs & Burgers surrounded by hundreds of boats attending a strange boat-in only concert in Northern Mississippi
Rooster’s Dogs & Burgers surrounded by hundreds of boats attending a strange boat-in only concert in Northern Mississippi-in
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Shantyboat out of place at the Grand Harbor on Pickwick Lake
Shantyboat out of place at the grand Harbor on Pickwick Lake, surrounded by plastic people, huge expensive boats that never leave the harbor and party barges stirring the Tombigbee River into a confusion of high swells
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Hazel got scalded when an enormous yacht knocked a pot of boiling water off the stove
Hazel got scalded when an enormous yacht came by close and fast while we were anchored and knocked a pot of boiling water off the stove. She yelped and cried and we iced her foot for a half hour. Probably not seriously hurt but it makes me hate irresponsible boaters even more. Big yachts are…
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A Butch Anthony joins Jesus in the Jeremiah Daniels Executive Washroom Gallery
A Butch Anthony joins Jesus in the Jeremiah Daniels Executive Washroom Gallery aboard the Shantyboat Dotty. Along with works by Maxine and Sasha Stonebloom
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Captured by pirates!
Captured by pirates! Mark and Rachel board the shantyboat and force us to eat good food and drink wine and suck up air conditioning and wifi and have a bath
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Tori Bailey of WZZA Soul Radio
We very nearly interviewed Tori Bailey, possibly the busiest person in the Shoals area. Tori runs WZZA, the only Black radio station in North Alabama, started by her mom and dad in 1972. Tori is also president of the Northwest Alabama NAACP and VP of this and board member of that. Tori organizes the world famous WC…
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Anita Cobb knows her family history going back before emancipation
Interview with Anita Cobb, who knows her detailed family history going back five generations to before emancipation
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Robert Francil, 4th generation fisherman
Interview with Robert Francil, 4th generation Florence commercial fisherman
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Looking for a used mandolin
Hey Florence friends: Adrian is looking for a used mandolin so he can play music while we drift down river. Where can we find such a beast? Also we need a decent fillet knife and a sharpener. Point us in the right direction?
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Emma Lee Dean-Dykes Troup, openly trans woman in small town Alabama
Interview with Emma Lee Dean-Dyke Troup, openly trans woman in Florence AL
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Bob Perry, Chickasaw elder and Annie Perry, knowledgable about the history of the area
Interview with Bob & Annie Perry at Tuscumbia Landing. Bob is a Chickasaw elder and Annie is knowledgable about the history of the area
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An interview with artist Butch Anthony literally sitting in Cypress Creek
An interview with artist Butch Anthony literally sitting in Cypress Creek
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The Annie out of Lake Wheeler comes to visit us
The Annie out of Lake Wheeler comes to visit us while we are in Florence Harbor Marina. Beautiful homemade boat similar in construction if not in design to the shantyboat
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Robert Francil known locally as the fish guy
Robert Francil known locally as the fish guy. The sign in his yard says Fish For Sale with another little sign: “Fish stories told here
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Shantyboat Dotty near the Old Railroad Bridge in Florence AL
Shantyboat Dotty near the Old Railroad Bridge in Florence AL. Photo by Jim Day
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Wes Modes at Secret History gallery talk
Wes Modes at Secret History gallery talk. Photo by @christi.britten
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Full house at the Kennedy Douglass Center for the Secret History gallery talk
Full house at the Kennedy Douglass Center for the Secret History gallery talk. Thanks to KDarts for making this happen
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Kathryn Boyd Rice, 94, regaled us with stories of life in Sheffield AL
Kathryn Boyd Rice, 94, regaled us with stories of life in Sheffield AL and as an illustrator and artist. She designed the cotton logo for the industry still used today
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Susan Stewart’s grandpa was chief clerk on a packet boat around 1910
Susan Stewart’s grandpa was chief clerk on a packet boat around 1910
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In a land of mostly dry fountains, Florence got it going on
In a land where the previous generations’ civic hardscaping have devolved into dry fountains most everywhere, Florence Alabama’s got it going on
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Tennessee River trash pouring out of the mouth of Sweetwater Creek
Tennessee River covered in trash ironically pouring out of the mouth of Sweetwater Creek. Perhaps @ijamsnaturecenter should introduce @florencealabama to their trash booms
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Tiny tiny shantyboat 93 feet down at the bottom of Wilson Lock and Dam
Tiny tiny shantyboat 93 feet down at the bottom of Wilson Lock and Dam. Thanks to Gino, one of the lock staff, for the photo
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Cara introduced me to the concept of Meat and Two
Cara introduced me to the concept of Meat and 2. Meat and 2 sides
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When we boated up a creek to this little town, you’ll never believe what happened.
We boated up a creek as close to a nearby little town as we could get, still a 20 minute walk away to get much-needed propane and fuel. I bet Jeremiah that we could get there in less than 20 minutes hitchhiking, even with the wait. The moment we stepped into the road, before we’d…
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Waiting for the crowds to subside, cocktail hour and dominos with Jeremiah
Waiting for the crowds to subside, cocktail hour and dominos with @dudicusmaximus
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In the far away land of Alabama there are electrical outlets in public places
In the far away land of Alabama there are electrical outlets in public places such as parks, buildings and patios. Apparently they are not terrified that homeless people will charge their cell phones. People here don’t believe us when we say that this doesn’t happen where we come from
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We thought we might fit under the train bridge at Decatur AL
Train bridge Decatur AL. We thought at first we might fit under. Not so much
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Passing the time with the song game on the way to Decatur
Passing the time with the song game on the way to Mussel Shoals
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Cocktail hour! Next on the Shantyboat Guys!
Cocktail hour! Next on the Shantyboat Guys with @dudicusmaximus
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Thanks to Ditto Landing for hosting us in Huntsville
Thanks to Ditto Landing for hosting us in Huntsville, especially director Brandi Quick
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Doris Turner talked to us about her daddy who was a captain on the Guntersville and Huntsville steamboats hauling railroad cars 22 miles to Hobbs Island
Dorris Turner talked to us about her daddy who was a captain on the Guntersville and Huntsville steamboats hauling railroad cars 22 miles to Hobbs Island
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Coozies. You’re from California. You wouldn’t understand.
Coozies. You’re from California. You wouldn’t understand. @communistlesbiandiscoparty @slbenz
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![Crazy rainstorm forces us off the river [PANORAMA]](https://peoplesriverhistory.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/1468691935.jpg)
Crazy rainstorm forces us off the river [PANORAMA]
Crazy rainstorm forces us off the river into a sheltered cove to smoke pipes and drink whiskey
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My local service guys left out a seal and fried the gears.
The new motor we got from Jim Wade was not running smoothly and he drove out an hour twice to make things right. In the end he fixed our old one. Turned out the Santa Cruz repair shop where I paid $600 had forgotten to replace a seal they took out and it had leaked…
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Just your usual sunny day fishing rainstorm experience
Just your usual sunny day fishing rainstorm experience
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No worries. This is the lock that the US Army Corps said a decade ago could collapse due to aggregate problems and is long past its replacement date
No worries. This is the lock that the US Army Corps said a decade ago could collapse due to aggregate problems and is long past its replacement date