100 Year-Old Barge Celebrates Birthday with a Puppet Show, 7/12-20

This year, the floating home of the Waterfront Museum turns 100 years old. The vessel, the Lehigh Valley No. 79 is the only one of its kind still afloat in NY harbor and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. By following her 100-year history, "Out of the Box & Over a Barrel," tells the saga of commerce, transportation and the lives of the people of the working harbor in the age of lighterage. Along the "Water Belt Line," barges, (called lighters) and tugboats were the only link between ships and railways, moving goods across the harbor. "Out of the Box" tells the story of this bustling era in NYC history before bridges and tunnels. Based on true stories using maps, models, puppets and historic photographs, this multi-discipline show aims to entertain and enlighten audiences about what this last-surviving wooden barge carried and the families and captains who lived on them.

Maritime scholars and almost a dozen old-timers and their oral histories add historical accuracy to the project. The leaders of "Out of the Box & Over a Barrel" are Deborah Kaufmann, a physical actor and puppeteer, Alma Sheppard-Matsuo, puppeteer, Stephen Kaplin director, designer and puppeteer, and David Sharps, captain of Lehigh Valley #79 and a former entertainer aboard cruise ships. The project is funded in part by the NY Council for the Humanities and the Brooklyn Arts Council NYSCA Regrant Program.Come onboard & enjoy "Out of the Box & Over a Barrel" Saturday & Sunday, July 12, 13, 19, 20 at 3 pm.

Advance Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.waterfrontmuseum.org/events/performances/out-of-
the-box. Adults $13, kids - $10. Tickets at the door (when available): Adults $15, kids $12. First Come, First Served.

The Waterfront Museum offers old-time family entertainment aboard a century-old covered wooden barge. Group Tours are available daily by appointment by calling 718 624 4719 or by visiting www.waterfrontmuseum.org. The Waterfront Museum is located at 290 Conover Street, Brooklyn, NY.

"Out of the Box & Over a Barrel" is part of BARGE 100, a year-long celebration of programming that marks the 100th anniversary of the historic Lehigh Valley No. 79. The mission of BARGE 100 is to raise funds for the continued preservation and public programs of an historic vessel and to ensure that future generations can learn from her for another 100 years. Special events for BARGE 100 will run throughout 2014 and culminate with The Pirate Ball on September 19, 2014. This grand event will feature music, specialty cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, and sunset views of New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty. An art show is being planned for later this summer. Learn more at www.barge100.org.