Replica of John Fitch Steamboat Sets Sail in Warminster

A working replica of a steamboat invented by John Fitch will set sail in Warminster on Saturday, July 21st.

            Weather permitting; representatives from The John Fitch Steamboat Museum will launch the six-foot, model between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on the pond situated near the Pavilion in Warminster Community Park.     Rumor has it --John Fitch himself will be on hand to witness the event!

            Built my master model-maker, Fred Rosse, this six-foot, vessel, is based on a French patent drawing obtained from the Smithsonian Institute.    The paddle mechanism is taken from John Fitch’s own sketches.   It represents a 1/10-scale version of the actual steamboat in which Fitch took passengers and freight between Philadelphia’s Arch Street wharf and Trenton, NJ in 1790.  That vessel was the world’s first commercial steamboat.

            Born in Connecticut, John Fitch began a “transportation revolution” while living in Warminster where he conceived the idea for a steamboat in 1785.  The steamboat replica is on loan from the John Fitch Steamboat Museum, which is located on the grounds of Historic Craven Hall, located in Warminster, PA. 

            This museum, which opened April 2011, houses exhibits depicting John Fitch’s adventuresome life, and the steamboats he developed.  In addition the Museum has graphic displays on Fitch’s accomplishments, a professional DVD on Fitch, and a large 150-year old workbench with antique woodworking tools. 

            The John Fitch Steamboat Museum is open to the public on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to noon (by previous appointment) as well as the second Sunday of each month (excluding Easter Sunday) from noon to 3:00 p.m.  Group tours will be given by reservation.

            Historic Craven Hall, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is located at the corner of Street and Newtown Roads in Warminster, PA.  For further information, please contact 215-675-4698 or visit the museum’s website at www.craven-hall.org

            Constructed on the grounds of the former Naval Air Development Center, Warminster Community Park is 243 acres and serves as the focal point for most of Warminster's outdoor programs. The expansive grounds feature a large playground facility, the Bark Park for dogs, Funtown, basketball courts and the use of the former runway for skating and biking.  It is located at 300 Veterans Circle.