Tobacco and other agricultural goods were essential to the development of the Piedmont region's economy and way of life. Getting those products to market, however, was no small feat.

In this episode of Founding Footprints, we speak with Will Smith and Will Cash of the James River Batteau Company about the unique, flat-bottomed boats that revolutionized trade on the James River in the late 1700's, the enslaved and free men who powered them, and the active life of their batteau replicas today.

You can find more information about the James River Batteau Company on their website: https://www.jamesrivertour.com/ And even more about the region's historic offerings through the travel itineraries at https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/ Founding Footprints is a production of VA250 - America: Made in Virginia The Virginia Audio Collective at WTJU 91.1 FM

Hosted by Dr. Benjamin Bernard with sound design by Sage Tanguay and music provided by Blue Dot Sessions. Virginia is for History Lovers