For participants and spectators of the James River Batteau Festival, and those interested in late 18th & early 19th century river travel in Virginia. The James River Batteau Festival is a program of the Virginia Canals & Navigations Society. Photo at right courtesy Berry Fine Art Photography.

The James River Batteau is a flat bottomed boat which was used to transport tobacco from areas of Central Virgina to Richmond during the late 1700’s. The boats were generally from 6-8 feet wide, 40-50 feet long and were constructed of white oak. For the past 21 years the James River Batteau Festival has been held in June to celebrate these boats and the important role they played in Virginia history.