Even though the working batteau is no longer used, historians and river enthusiasts still keep the memory alive. Batteau crews have hand built replicas of the 18th & early 19th century flat wooden cargo vessels once used to haul tobacco to travel on an 8 day journey from Lynchburg, VA to Maiden’s Landing in Powhatan, VA. Since 1985, the James River Batteau Festival, an annual event sponsored by the Virginia Canal & Navigations Society 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.
JOURNEY
James River Batteau Festival
Features
JFBF Features
News
Latest Posts
JRBF-Maiden’s Landing, June 22, 2019.
Maiden’s Landing was busy and the parking lot full when I arrived in mid-afternoon and it was starting to get…
JRBF-2019-Cartersville-Saturday-AM, June 22, 2019.
Cartersville was nice and cool this morning and had a beautiful pink sky as the sun rose up first thing.…
JRBF-Cartersville-Friday-PM, June 21, 2019.
Cartersville was pleasant as we sat waiting on the boats to come in. Bill Trout enjoyed telling the batteau history…