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Canoes: A Natural History in North America

Mark Neuzil and Norman Sims 2016

This is the story of the canoe, that singular American artifact so little changed over time. Featured here are canoes old and new, from birch bark to dugout to carbon fiber; the people who made them; and the adventures they shared. With features of technology, industry, art, and survival, the canoe carries us deep into the natural and cultural history of North America.

Follow author Mark Neuzil on Twitter: @mrneuzil

ISBN(s)

9780816681174 (hardcover)

Subject

Citable Link

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Filtering by: Keyword Rushton Section Chapter 4: All-Wood Canoes

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Dr. Arpad Gerster, a prominent New York surgeon, vacationed with his family in the Adirondacks during the 1890s. Here, Gerster portages a Rushton pack canoe at Camp Oteetiwi, Big Island, Raquette Lake.

Dr. Arpad Gerster

From Chapter 4: All-Wood Canoes

Dr. Arpad Gerster, a prominent New York surgeon, vacationed with his family in the Adirondacks during the 1890s. Here, Gerster portages a Rushton pack canoe at Camp Oteetiwi, Big Island, Raquette Lake.

A black-and-white portrait of Leah and J. Henry Rushton around 1884.

Leah and J. Henry Rushton

From Chapter 4: All-Wood Canoes

Leah and J. Henry Rushton around 1884.

The Sairy Gamp on display at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, New York.

Sairy Gamp

From Chapter 4: All-Wood Canoes

The Sairy Gamp on display at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, New York.

An illustrated catalog listing for the Nessmuk.

Nessmuk

From Chapter 4: All-Wood Canoes

J. Henry Rushton listed the Nessmuk in his 1907 catalog under the heading, “Feather-Weight Canoes.”

A color photograph of the Wee Lassie.

Wee Lassie

From Chapter 4: All-Wood Canoes

The Wee Lassie canoe was made in 1893 by J. H. Rushton for William West Durant of Raquette Lake, New York.

Frederic Remington illustration of a Rushton American Traveling Canoe.

American Traveling Canoe

From Chapter 4: All-Wood Canoes

Frederic Remington illustration of a Rushton American Traveling Canoe.

A photograph of the Grasse River sweeping by the Rushton Boat Shop, the white building at back left, during a flood in 1885.

Grasse River

From Chapter 4: All-Wood Canoes

The Grasse River sweeps by the Rushton Boat Shop, the white building at back left, during a flood in 1885.

This Rushton pack canoe, displayed at the Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum, was one of many lightweight small boats he made for hunters and sportsmen.

Rushton Pack Canoe

From Chapter 4: All-Wood Canoes

This Rushton pack canoe, displayed at the Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum, was one of many lightweight small boats he made for hunters and sportsmen.

This craft was built ca. 1881–83 and is probably the oldest American-built decked sailing canoe in existence.

Lapstrake Canoe

From Chapter 4: All-Wood Canoes

This craft was built ca. 1881–83 and is probably the oldest American-built decked sailing canoe in existence.

A color photograph of a decked sailing canoe dated 1882–85 owned by the Adirondack Museum.

Decked Sailing Canoe

From Chapter 4: All-Wood Canoes

A decked sailing canoe dated 1882–85 owned by the Adirondack Museum.