Discovery Center Museum
117 S. Water Street
Paducah, KY 42001
Phone "270.575.9958 for hours and more information
June 24, 2025
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There were a lot of people here, so Karen Duquette did not take a lot of photos.
There is so much more to see and learn at the Discovery Center Museum,
than what is posted here. |
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This exhibit offers visitors an incredible view of the
vastness of the river system and the many waterways that make up the
Mississippi River watershed. So first, Lee and Karen Duquette sat
in a special room to watch a movie about this experience in the
Founders Room. "Heart of a Nation" provided an overview
of the river's significance in everyone's daily lives. They they explored
a beautifully restored space reminiscent of a Victorian home, complete
with period furniture, followed by a magnificent view of the confluence
of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers.
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Below: The Delta Queen was a
historic paddlewheel steamboat that operated as a passenger vessel along
the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. The original vessel was built in 1927,
and is known for its elegant, vintage design and rich history as a luxurious
riverboat. |
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model seen below is a replica made by Guy Williams, who never saw the
boat in person. He made it completely based off of pictures and written
stories about it. The model’s paddlewheel spins, the rooms light
up and music plays just as if it was floating down the Ohio River again. |
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Below: Lee Duquette engaged the help of a marmot to look for Karen
Duquette, who disguised herself as a marmot.
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Below:
The 1937 flood was one of the most devastating floods in U.S. history,
severely affecting Paducah. A combination of heavy rainfall and melting
snow caused the Ohio River to surge to 60.8 feet on January 23, far exceeding
the average flood stage of 39 feet. Thousands of residents were displaced,
and the city suffered millions of dollars in damage, requiring years to
recover. This disaster led to significant improvements in regional flood
control efforts. Guests can view powerful photographs documenting the
flood's impact and see a typical rescue boat used during the crisis. |
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Below: Lee Duquette learned
about steering a paddleboat. An action video was shown on the screen,
which Karen Duquette photographed, but does not know how to post the video
here. Any help on how to do this would be appreciated. |
Lee
Duquette enjoyed the Boat Simulator as he got to "Steer the boat
as he took the helm of a speedboat, towboat, or US Coast Guard vessel
across various scenarios, both day and night. The simulator offered Lee
an incredibly realistic experience, with authentic boat vibrations and
soundscapes that closely mimic real-life vessels. |
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