The Waterfront Museum is housed aboard Lehigh Valley Barge No. 79, an all-wooden 1914 railroad barge believed to be the last of its kind still afloat, docked in Red Hook, Brooklyn. Founder David Sharps, a former juggler and clown who trained in theater in Paris, acquired the barge in 1985, spent years converting it into a seaworthy home and museum, and relocated it to Red Hook in 1994 with support from local developer Greg O'Connell. The museum preserves maritime and lighterage-era artifacts from New York Harbor and offers free open hours, school and group tours, theatrical performances, and community programming aboard the vessel.