Lake Champlain Maritime Museum (LCMM) has just received on loan the only known portrait of steamboat pioneer Captain Jahaziel Sherman of Vergennes (1777-1844), and his second wife, Harriett Daggett Sherman (1792-1873). LCMM invites the community to this special free event to preview the paintings, hear about Jahaziel’s adventures, and help us bring the portraits home to stay.

Special guest speaker Kevin Crisman, PhD, is Director of the Center for Maritime Archaeology and Conservation at Texas A & M University. Kevin participated in the field investigation of Sherman’s steamboat Phoenix more than 30 years ago and co-authored an article on Captain Jahaziel Sherman in the fall issue of Vermont History.

Captain Sherman was at the forefront of the world’s steamboat revolution. After running a steamboat on the Hudson in competition with Robert Fulton, Sherman moved to Vergennes in 1813 to oversee construction and operations of six Lake Champlain Steamboats. Remarkably, two of these vessels survive as Underwater Preserves, and a third was recently identified at the Shelburne Steamboat Graveyard.

Join us for the unveiling of the paintings and learn about Jahaziel’s adventures.

Light refreshments. Free and open to the public.