01/24/2025
This month, January 2025, I heard the heartbreaking news: the historical society announced it would cease operations entirely. The last hand-poled ferry in the United States, a symbol of resilience and history, was to be scrapped. It felt like a piece of my soul was being torn away. I thought back to all the work I’d done—the flood pole, the engraved stone signs, the exhibits, the countless hours operating the ferry and wading into the river to save the ferry—and wondered if it had all been for nothing.
The Hatton Ferry wasn’t just a boat; it was a living connection to the past, a symbol of resilience and community. I often wonder why VDOT, and later the historical society, couldn’t see its value beyond dollars and cents. Perhaps they didn’t understand what it meant to stand at the edge of the James River, feel the pull of history, and know you were part of something larger.
To me, the Hatton Ferry was never just a means of crossing a river. It was a bridge to the past, a connection to the lives and stories that had come before. I’m proud of the decade I spent keeping its story alive, but it’s painful to see it come to an end. As the ferry’s story closes, I hope its spirit will remain, carried on by the James River and the memories of those who crossed it. For a time, I was its caretaker, and I’ll always be grateful for the role I played in its remarkable journey.
