George Pope Butler Skiff
George Pope Butler built this rowing skiff at the Reedville Railway about 1960 for a resident of Reedville. It was donated to the Museum by the original owner in 2016. A hallmark of Butler skiffs is the joinery, with tolerances so close that it is commonly and accurately acknowledged that "Butler boats don't leak." Mr. Butler built his skiffs "stout" to withstand the elements and the rough use they were subjected to over the course of their life. Butler also built the vessel to be pleasing to the eye.
Over the years this skiff has had many renovations, including a fiber-glassed transom and bottom to extend its life. Characteristics of a Butler boat are the squared collar at the bow and the side seats at the stern. This skiff was built before modern glues and fasteners were readily available; it is not unusual that she would bleed rust from the iron nails and pins used in its construction. This is highlighted in the "cutout" inside the skiff.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1960.
Location. 37° 50.649′ N, 76° 16.537′ W. Marker is in Reedville, Virginia, in Northumberland County. It can be reached from the intersection of Main Street and Reed Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 474 Main St, Reedville VA 22539, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Northern Neck. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Rowing Skiff (here, next to this marker); George M. Butler Skiff (here, next to this marker); The Elva C Tender Skiff (here, next to this marker); The Lillian-B (a few steps from this marker); Fannie (within shouting distance of this marker); Chesapeake Bay Log Canoe (within shouting distance of this marker); "The Save The Stack Committee" (within shouting distance of this marker); Morris-Fisher Stack (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Reedville.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 5, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
