NKY History Hour: From River Rat to Steamboatman

Captain Donald J. Sanders’ relationship with the river began at the age of 10 when he worked for his evening meal on a classic 52-foot wooden houseboat docked at a marina near his home in Covington, Kentucky. That experience led him to a 65-year adventure aboard some of the nation’s most iconic steamboats along some of the most vital waterways. From bustling river towns to remote stretches of wilderness, Captain Sanders has witnessed firsthand the people and places that define the unique culture and heritage of our region.

Join Captain Sanders as he shares his extraordinary journey from humble beginnings to becoming a seasoned river captain in the virtual NKY History Hour presentation, From River Rat to Steamboatman, Tuesday, April 16, 6:30 p.m.

To register and participate in the free presentation by Behringer-Crawford Museum, visit:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_a2jgosPgQZ-MyVjjVYZiFA

Information on how to connect to the Zoom session will be sent after registration. The event will also be streamed live on BCM’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/bcmuseumnky. All recordings of past episodes can be viewed at https://www.bcmuseum.org/activities/nky-history-hour/2-uncategorised/368-past-nky-history-hours.

Captain Don Sanders is a retired riverboat captain with the Delta Queen Steamboat Company and Rising Star Casino. He learned to fly an airplane before he learned to drive a “machine” and became a captain in the United States Air Force. He is an adventurer, a historian and a storyteller. He is also a columnist for the Northern Kentucky Tribune and has written over 235 articles, some of which are included in his book The River: River Rat to Steamboatman, Riding ‘Magic River Spell’ to 65-year Adventure.

NKY History Hour programs take place every other Tuesday evening from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and are free to the public. To support NKY History Hour and access many other entertaining and thought-provoking programs for free, join BCM today: http://bcmuseum.org/support-us/join/become-a-member. 

Behringer-Crawford Museum is supported in part by our members, the City of Covington, Kenton County Fiscal Court, ArtsWave, Kentucky Arts Council, the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation.