IMPORTANT MESSAGE (Monday, August 24, 2026): 

The Howard Steamboat Museum will temporarily close its facilities to general public walk-in visits starting Monday, August 24, 2026, for a two-week period while the Board of Directors works through operational restructuring.

While regular public walk-in hours are paused, the museum remains available for group tours.

Key Visitor Information:

  • General Public Hours: Temporarily suspended for the next two weeks.
  • Group Tours: Still active and being hosted! Private and group tours must be scheduled in advance. Please reach out to arrange your visit with prior notice.
  • Reopening Schedule: A formal reopening date for general public hours will be announced in a future update as operational plans are finalized.

We appreciate the community’s patience and support during this transition as we work to ensure the long-term sustainability of the museum.

For group tour bookings, scheduling requests, or general inquiries, please contact us at (812) 283-3728 or info@howardsteamboatmuseum.org / https://www.howardsteamboatmuseum.org.

-With Gratitude – The Clark County Historical Association : The Howard Steamboat Museum

exterior image of museum
The Howard Museum, housed in a mansion built in 1894

Take a step back into the historic Steamboat Era with a tour of the Howard Steamboat Museum. This beautiful 1894-built Mansion is a 22-room marvel built in the Richardsonian Romanesque style. It was the home of the famous Howard steamboat building family of Jeffersonville. Our fascinating collection features original furnishings, brass gasoliers, stained glass windows, intricate carvings throughout and a magnificent black walnut grand staircase replicated from a famous steamboat. It is truly an intriguing spectacle to behold in its old-world charm!

Master craftsmen from the family shipyard created much of the exquisite decor features in the mansion. Howard built steamboats included, the luxurious J.M. White , the speed record holding City of Louisville and the popular Indiana. Models, photographs, paintings, half-hull models, tools, and other amazing historic artifacts abound in our unique museum.  The mansion features 90% original family furnishings in our formal rooms, ensuring a true step into another time. 

 

Hours

Monday Closed            
Tuesday Closed
Wednesday Closed
Thursday Closed
Friday Closed
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

General Public Hours are temporarily suspended. A formal reopening date for general public hours will be announced in a future update as operational plans are finalized.

Group Tours are still active and being hosted! Private and group tours must be scheduled in advance. Please reach out via email at info@howardsteamboatmuseum.org or phone at (812) 283-3728 to arrange your visit with prior notice.

 

During the summer months we are on Eastern Daylight Time (same as Louisville), otherwise, Eastern Standard Time. Upscale and fast food restaurants are located nearby. Please see our Local Interest page for dining, shopping, and other attractions

Admission

Adults: $12.00
Seniors (65+), Military: $10.00

Children 6 – 18 and Students: $7.00

Children Under 6 with a paid adult: Free

The Howard Steamboat Museum is open year round. 

Group Tours

Group Rates (for 10 or more persons) are available upon request. For group rates, you must make reservations at least one month in advance. Please see our Group Tours page for more information.

In the even of inclement weather, please call the museum to make sure we are open: (812) 283-3728

Contact Us

Museum: (812) 283-3728
Carriage House: (812) 913-4591

Museum: info@howardsteamboatmuseum.org
Carriage House, a premiere rental venue: events@carriagehousehsm.org

You can also leave a general message.

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