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Friends of the Belle

Blue ribbon with text 'FRIENDS of the BELLE' in white and red.

who we are

Friends of the Belle, a 501c3 nonprofit, was founded in 2021. Friends of the Belle provides meaningful and engaging experiences on the water like no one else can. Through meaningful programming, passengers are encouraged to explore history, the arts, and the cultural heritage of the Ohio River and Louisville in a way that represents diverse stories and honest experiences.

Our partnerships, preservation initiatives and education projects are made possible thanks to the community of donors who support our mission—thank you.

Donate

our board

Krista Snider, President
Wayne Hettinger
Renee Murphy
Nicole Twigg

what we do

Belle of Louisville Riverboats’ fleet consists of three vessels: the Belle of Louisville, the Mary M. Miller, and our historic wharf boat, the Mayor Andrew Broaddus. The Belle of Louisville and the Mayor Andrew Broaddus have both been National Historic Landmarks since 1989.

Vintage steamboat Idlewild with flags on a river, two smokestacks emitting smoke.

fun facts

  • Belle of Louisville Riverboats  is charged with the care of 25% of Louisville’s National Historic Landmarks.
  • Only 10% of National Historic Landmarks are maritime landmarks–so our city has more than double the national average. Not bad for a river town!

The purpose of Friends of the Belle is to support the preservation of the National Historic Landmarks the Belle of Louisville and Life Saving Station #10 (also known as the Mayor Andrew Broaddus), as well as the development of educational and public programming regarding the important roles that the Ohio River and steamboats have played in American and Louisville history.

Two women wearing headphones and smiling while holding hands in a light room.
People dancing together in a room with wooden floors and tables in the background.
Two kids smiling, one wearing sunglasses and a cap, the other in a striped sports jersey, indoors.

get involved

volunteer

Ready to help keep these pieces of history alive? Our team is looking for volunteers in a variety of roles whether you are looking to volunteer once a week or once a month!

Become an Annual Passholder

Each Annual Pass purchase supports our mission of connecting the community to the river through meaningful, on-the-water experiences, in addition to continuing our preservation and restoration efforts and expanding our educational programming.

Join the Board

Interested in helping preserve our vessels and our history? Friends of the Belle is looking for members to serve on our board. Email [email protected] for more information.