The Antique Boat Museum is excited to present our Homer L. Dodge Lecture Series! The Homer L. Dodge Lecture Series is funded by the Homer L. Dodge Endowment, which funds programming that promotes, celebrates, and teaches topics focused on the history and ecology of the St. Lawrence River .Spanning all four seasons and a range of topics, we hope to be able to bring local history and boating life to you throughout the year, whether you are with us in the 1000 Islands or far away and missing the River.
Note: All lectures, unless indicated otherwise, will be held in a hybrid in-person/virtual format. If you are unable to join us in person, we invite you to join us via YouTube live stream. The live stream link for each lecture can be found below.
The lectures are always held in the Robert Osborne Cox Theatre at the Museum unless otherwise stated.
Can I Canoe You Up the River? The Story of Paddling and Romance
- Speaker: John Summers, Owner of Canadian Museum Services
- Topic: Can I Canoe You Up the River? The Story of Paddling and Romance
- When: Friday, November 14, 2025
- Time: 5:30-6:30 pm
- Where: Robert O. Cox Auditorium + Live on YouTube
From the late 19th century into the early 20th century, canoeing captured the imagination of North America—not just as a pastime, but as a symbol of romance. From hand-painted valentines and gleaming courting canoes to playful songs rhyming every possible word with “canoe,” love and paddling went hand in hand. On warm summer evenings, rivers and lakes filled with couples chatting, courting, and seeking a little time together afloat. This lecture will bring to life the sights, sounds, and spirit of those romantic canoeing traditions—and may even stir a few fond memories along the way.
John Summers is the owner of Canadian Museum Services, where he helps small and medium-sized museums in Canada and the United States meet their goals with practical, relevant, and cost-effective solutions. With over three decades of experience as an educator, curator, exhibit developer, manager, and director, John brings a wealth of knowledge to every project—from strategy and collections management to interpretation and visitor engagement.
Step back into a time when canoes carried more than just paddlers—they carried dreams of love and adventure. Don’t miss this engaging journey into one of North America’s most charming traditions.
