The Lehigh Valley No. 79 is a 1914 wooden cargo barge that once ferried freight between rail yards and ships, and it is the only surviving example of its kind. A former juggler rescued it from the New Jersey mudflats in 1985 and turned it into a floating museum and showboat, complete with a George Rhoads ball machine. If you are in Red Hook for the waterfront, step aboard.
What to expect
You walk down Pier 44 at the end of Conover Street and onto the barge's covered wooden hold, where you can learn about the harbor's lighterage era. The deck has some of the best sunset and harbor views in Brooklyn.
Good to know
- Tours are free for families and individuals when the barge is docked in Red Hook.
- The barge is at Pier 44 off Conover Street; the B61 bus or the NYC Ferry to Red Hook are the easiest routes.
- Kids tend to love the audiokinetic ball machine when it is on display.
- Valentino Pier, with its harbor views, is a short walk away.
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Common questions
Is the Waterfront Museum free?
Yes. The museum offers free tours during open hours when the barge is docked in Red Hook.
What is the Lehigh Valley No. 79?
A wooden covered cargo barge built in 1914, the only surviving example of its kind, now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
