James Rumsey Monument - Shepherdstown, WV - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

The SAI website does not provide an official description, which would be a granite ionic column (roughly 75' high by 6' diameter) resting on a granite base (approx. 15' high x 24' wide x 24' deep). The column is capped by a world globe.

Inscription:In honor of James Rumsey, inventor of the steamboat, who in October, A.D. 1783, on the Potomac River, near the mouth of Sir John's Run, made the first successful application of steam to the practical purposes of navigation; and who on December 3rd, 1787, made a further successful demonstration on the Potomac river at Shepherdstown, Virginia, about three hundred yards above this site. Erected by the State of West Virginia under the auspices of the Rumseyan Society A.D. 1915

The column was erected by a group wanting recognize the local achievement in spite the concurrent successful of Robert Fulton. Located on a rocky cliff high above the Potomac River at the end of a quiet street.

Note that the plaque says "Shepherdstown, Virginia" which would been true in 1783-1787 before the commonwealth was split.

The SAI entry also states that the monument was built for $15,200 in 1915. Current value of this project would then be $2.1 million based on production worker compensation.

TITLE: James Rumsey Monument ARTIST(S): unknown DATE: 1915 MEDIUM: Granite column on a granite base with bronze plaques. CONTROL NUMBER: IAS WV000069 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: North end of Mill Street, Shepherdstown, West Virginia 25443 in a small park. DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: None

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