NEW RICHMOND, OHIO - “When people walk out of here they’re usually smiling,” said Tom Lemon. “I’m not sure if they’re laughing with us or at us!” Lemon is one of the owners of the Cardboard Boat Museum, located on the New Richmond riverfront. The museum has numerous cardboard boats on display, everything from an Elvis Presley guitar, to replica’s of elaborate paddle wheelers, and a Bat- mobile.
The idea behind the museum began seven years ago, when four friends decided to enter a cardboard boat in the annual New Richmond regatta. “We got hooked making that airplane boat,” laughed Kenny Smith. “Every year we try to make a more elaborate one using a lot of corrugated cardboard, tape, and paint.” They compete under the Team Lemon name and are quite proud of a recent entry, the Water Hogs, featuring several motorcycle boats.
While the boats promote a lot of laughs, crafting them is no easy task. “On the average, four of us spend about 350 hours working on each of the boats,” said Lemon. “Our families are also involved in designing boats and competing in various cardboard regattas.”
Smith said that he plans to make and race boats for many years to come, and admits he even enjoys dressing up as Batman in parades where the Batmobile is featured. “People really respond to it,” he said.
Boats displayed in the museum belong to many people and there is no cost to visit. The Cardboard Boat Museum, located at 311 Front Street in New Richmond, is open on Tuesday from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m., and on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. You can call (513) 403-1675 for more information.
