George M. Verity Riverboat Museum

The paddle boat was built in Dubuque, Iowa by the U.S. government in 1927 to revive river transportation and move barges from St. Louis to St. Paul. It was then known as the S. S. Thorpe. Armco Steel Corporation bought the boat in 1940 and put it into service on the Ohio River, renaming it after the founder of their company, George M. Verity. The riverboat was donated to the City of Keokuk in 1961 after being retired from service. The museum is open daily from 9am to 5pm beginning Memorial Day through Labor Day and open from 9am to 5pm on weekends only from April 1 to Memorial Day and Labor Day to October 31. There is an admission charge.