Big Year of Rivers Speaker Series – Stories of the Mississippi River Boat Captain
Join us for a presentation by Lee Hendrix — pilot and riverboat captain. Learn about the exciting and dangerous work that accompanied a five-decade career of working on America’s river with Lee Hendrix, pilot and former captain in the US Army Corps of Engineers. Lee piloted commercial towboats and the last three overnight passenger steamboats on the Mississippi — the Delta, Mississippi and American Queen. Through engaging storytelling, Hendrix sheds light on his rare experience along one of the most powerful and important waterways in the world. This program is part of the 2026 Big Year of Rivers Speaker Series.
The Sacred Water Shared Future campaign is powered by you! The heart of this centennial celebration is the incredible variety of events planned and hosted by our partners — community groups, nonprofits, businesses, schools, and individuals who feel a connection to the Mississippi River.
We do not host events ourselves; instead, we serve as a central hub for river-focused activities happening across the Twin Cities throughout 2026.