Howdy, y'all, a realtor told me this morning, and I confirmed it with the assistant to their Mayor, Vicky Peerman, that the American Queen did dock at Mt. Vernon, Indiana. The motor coaches were already lined up before the passengers left the boat. The passengers were to visit downtown Mt. Vernon, Indiana and see the shops, visit the area around the courthouse. That area is reviving and will have condos, new retail and eateries coming soon. In their masterplan they have new street signage and brick ways to add to the great look of american heritage in the intersections.
The American Queen passengers are to tour the quaint town of New Harmony, Indiana, where they will see their downtown. It is a great town. I learned to weave there. Plus, do pottery. It has an art gallery, some quaint shops, a settlement where they can see different places folks lived in the 1800's, watch possible candlemaking, horse shoes, and basket weaving. It is a quaint small town. But, it will make an impression on them. The Rappites settled there....it was to create a perfect society. They were religious folks, self sustaining. There is even a recently renovated Grainery that they can see. It is quite an amazement what they did back then. All stone. The boat is to leave at 12:00noon from Mt. Vernon, Indiana. The town is buzzing and blooming to have them there. Eventually, they are to add a marina from their masterplan. The boat ramp is very ample, has a neat grandstand by it, and rolls right up to the downtown area.
Hope those passengers have as much fun as the folks that kept me posted about the boat being there. I think they had more fun!! Mary
