Queen of the Lake III Restoration
Donation protected
In 1825 the Ohio Canal began construction and Buckeye Lake was dug to create a reservoir for the new Canal system. The canal carried freight traffic from 1827 to 1861, when the arrival of railroads killed the market. By 1913, much of the canal system was abandoned after important parts were severely flooded. Even though the canals disappeared the lake continued to be a popular recreation destination through the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s when the Buckeye Lake Amusement Park was thriving as a tourist’s attraction. Even after the park closed in the early 70’s the lake continued to be a tourist attraction for visitors from all over the Midwest.
In 1998 the Buckeye Lake Museum was founded. As with many non-profits, keeping the bills paid was always a constant battle. In 2006 however, the museum received a generous donation of a 46-foot pontoon boat the “Queen of The Lake II" which became the main source of revenue for the museum.
The Queen II had ferried more than 50,000 people around the lake until 2014.
Unfortunately in 2015, due to a dam repair project which lowered the water level in the lake to only a few feet, the Queen II had to be dry docked.
In October of 2015, the museum received a generous donation of an 88 foot true sternwheeler. With a substantial loan and lots of volunteer help the museum moved the sternwheeler from Zanesville to Buckeye Lake. Since it drafts only about 20” it will be the perfect boat for a shallow lake.
The museum is attempting to raise $60,000 to convert the sternwheeler to a dinner boat, recondition the interiors, refurbish the hull, and re-launch it as the “Queen of the Lake III” in Buckeye Lake.
As the director of the Buckeye Lake Museum I will be working directly on the conversion, and refurbishing of the Queen of the Lake III. With your help and the help of our museum volunteers we hope to put a museum boat back on the lake to continue ferrying visitors around the lake.
J-me Braig
Director
In 1998 the Buckeye Lake Museum was founded. As with many non-profits, keeping the bills paid was always a constant battle. In 2006 however, the museum received a generous donation of a 46-foot pontoon boat the “Queen of The Lake II" which became the main source of revenue for the museum.
The Queen II had ferried more than 50,000 people around the lake until 2014.
Unfortunately in 2015, due to a dam repair project which lowered the water level in the lake to only a few feet, the Queen II had to be dry docked.
In October of 2015, the museum received a generous donation of an 88 foot true sternwheeler. With a substantial loan and lots of volunteer help the museum moved the sternwheeler from Zanesville to Buckeye Lake. Since it drafts only about 20” it will be the perfect boat for a shallow lake.
The museum is attempting to raise $60,000 to convert the sternwheeler to a dinner boat, recondition the interiors, refurbish the hull, and re-launch it as the “Queen of the Lake III” in Buckeye Lake.
As the director of the Buckeye Lake Museum I will be working directly on the conversion, and refurbishing of the Queen of the Lake III. With your help and the help of our museum volunteers we hope to put a museum boat back on the lake to continue ferrying visitors around the lake.
J-me Braig
Director
Organizer
J-me Braig-bogden
Organizer
Buckeye Lake, OH
