James River Batteau Festival

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James River Batteau Festival

An epic 8-day journey down the James River using recreated historic cargo boats called batteaux. A pr A program of the Virginia Canals & Navigations Society.

The James River Batteau Festival is an 8-day journey down the James River from Lynchburg to Maidens Landing using recreated late 18th & early 19th century cargo boats called James River Batteaux. Hundreds of these vessels traversed the James between the mountains and Richmond. The rich history of these craft began in 1775 with ingenuity of two Amherst County brothers, Anthony and Benjamin Rucker.

Even though the working batteau is no longer used, historians and river enthusiasts still keep the memory alive. Modern era batteau crews have hand built replicas of the 18th & early 19th century flat wooden cargo vessels once used to haul to***co. Since 1986, they have traveled on an 8 day journey from Lynchburg, Virginia to Maiden’s Landing in Powhatan, Virginia. Today the annual June event is sponsored by the Virginia Canal & Navigations Society. The annual JRBF has had as many as 25 boats and their crews travel the 120 river mile (200 km) distance each year. This event has also become very popular for kayakers and canoeists who enjoy floating along amongst the batteaux on their voyage. The Virginia Canals and Navigations Society was formed in 1977 to preserve and enhance Virginia's rich inland waterways heritage in all its fascinating aspects. History, exploration, archaeology, modeling, local lore and legend, restoration, preservation, park and trail development - these are some of the many areas of interest our members pursue to their own great satisfaction and frequently to the lasting benefit of their communities and state. Click here for more batteaux history. (web site: www.vacanals.org)

06/07/2026

Flippin' the Crow!! A new James River Batteau Festival participant built by a bunch of river rats from Buckingham, Nelson, and Powhatan Counties!!!

06/03/2026

Hey Folks! It's time to roll another one!! BATTEAU, that is!!! We're flipping the Crow this Thursday, June 4th, at 6:30pm at 4468 Gravel Hill, Dillwyn, 23936. Burgers & beer provided to those who help!!!!!

05/29/2026

Wanna RIDE???

Climb on board The Addie Beth and the rest of the batteau fleet for a unique educational batteau 30 minute ride and tour of the James River, hosted by the […]

05/25/2026

THE 41st JAMES RIVER BATTEAU FESTIVAL!!!!

Let's celebrate the dads in our lives this weekend! Father's Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June each year to honor the men we call Dad, Po…

05/22/2026

Get Ready!!! It all starts in less than a month!! And DON'T FORGET TO PAY YOUR FEES! WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PORTA-POTTIES!!!!! https://www.vacanals.org/batteau

05/05/2026

We strongly encourage our Lynchburg community to support and attend this event! Viola's work is an emerging body of research bringing to light the lives of James River Boatmen. Fascinating stuff!

03/02/2026

In 2024, Cal Tobias spent a day on the James River Batteau Festival and won an award for it!! http://caltobias.com/picture-stories

He is a photojournalism student at the University of Missouri Journalism School. Originally from Silver Spring, Maryland., he enjoys photographing news, sports, and politics. He has worked as a photographer for the Columbia (Mo.) Missourian and the Charlottesville (Va.) Daily Progress. His photos have appeared in the Associated Press, the New York Times, and the JRBF page.

There are only 110 days from now until the 41st James River Batteau Festival!!!

Cal Tobias Photographer Photo Photojournalist Sports Photographer News Photographer Newspaper Photographer Charlottesville Virginia Charlottesville Daily Progress Lee Enterprises Columbia Missouri Columbia Missourian google-site-verification=gyNZkUa--wkA1rEmrAB5j-W65J6wSqB_QjgsytzD4jM

02/25/2026

We look forward to seeing everyone at the annual VCNS membership meeting!

VIRGINIA CANALS & NAVIGATIONS SOCIETY
49th Annual Membership Meeting and Board Meeting
April 11th, 2026, 12-4:30pm
Haw Branch Farm: 14006 Haw Branch Lane, Amelia VA 23002

Highlights include
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VC&NS Annual membership meeting/Board of Directors meeting
Resident speaker: Brendan Burke – The Port of Haw Branch
Tour of Haw Branch Plantation
Lunch Provided

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PLEASE RSVP to [email protected] (or by text to 434-760-1183)
This event is free to members and guests; however donations are welcome.
If you’re interested in becoming a board member, contact [email protected]

02/19/2026

Give a listen!!

From To***co Fields to Richmond Markets: James River Batteau Company. The opening episode of "Founding Footprints: Tracing America’s Journey in Charlottesville & Albemarle County" highlights how the d

02/17/2026

Attention Batteau Community!

On March 19, VCU is hosting a free public lecture on the Black boatmen who crewed batteaux on the James River.

Viola Baskerville will be in conversation with Jason Bonilla-Landers about her upcoming book on this powerful and often overlooked history. She is conducting some of the most exciting research in years on the men who worked and navigated the James River.

If you have the opportunity, be sure to stop by and support this important conversation!

Address

The James River
Lynchburg, VA
24504

Website

http://www.batteau.org/

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