Nonprofit Secures Over $500K for Riverboat Project at Pineknotter Park

The Central Susquehanna Riverboat Society aims to launch a paddle wheel riverboat cruise on the Susquehanna River by 2027 or 2028.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A nonprofit in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, the Central Susquehanna Riverboat Society, has been working since 2017 to raise funds for a new paddle wheel riverboat cruise on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. The group has now secured over $500,000 in funding, including a recent partnership with a new foundation called DegenSTEAM, and construction on the riverboat hull is nearly complete.

Why it matters

The riverboat project aims to provide educational cruises, dinner cruises, and private event rentals to the local community, while also serving as an innovation hub for STEAM-related activities. This represents a significant investment in the region's tourism and economic development around the Susquehanna River.

The details

The Central Susquehanna Riverboat Society is a nonprofit that received its 501(c)(3) status in 2021, allowing it to more actively fundraise for the riverboat project. The group has been applying for grants and soliciting contributions over the past five years. The riverboat is being constructed in New Jersey by Delaware Bay Ship Builders, with the hull nearly complete. The nonprofit still needs additional funding to finish the dock project at Pineknotter Park, which will include a ticket booth and concession area.

  • The Central Susquehanna Riverboat Society has been working on this project since 2017.
  • The nonprofit received its 501(c)(3) status in 2021, allowing it to more actively fundraise.
  • The riverboat hull is nearly complete and the group is hoping to have the riverboat set sail in either 2027 or 2028.

The players

Central Susquehanna Riverboat Society

A nonprofit organization working to establish a paddle wheel riverboat cruise on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Northumberland, Pennsylvania.

DegenSTEAM

A newly formed initiative of The 1994 Charles B. Degenstein Foundation that has partnered with the Central Susquehanna Riverboat Society and will use the riverboat as a core project to host STEAM-related activities.

Delaware Bay Ship Builders

The company constructing the riverboat hull in New Jersey for the Central Susquehanna Riverboat Society.

Angela Troutman

The Vice President of the Central Susquehanna Riverboat Society's board of directors.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“It's been since 2017 that we've been working on this project. We received our 501(c)(3) in 2021, so it wasn't until then that we could start acquiring funds for the project, being a nonprofit.”

— Angela Troutman, Central Susquehanna Riverboat Society Vice President (wnep.com)

“The dock has been dug out; we just need to do some more primping of the area, getting the parking lot ready, and building our little ticket booth and concession area.”

— Angela Troutman, Central Susquehanna Riverboat Society Vice President (wnep.com)

“Our main focus will be educating the public on the environment and the history of the mighty Susquehanna that we have in our backyard.”

— Angela Troutman, Central Susquehanna Riverboat Society Vice President (wnep.com)

What’s next

The nonprofit still needs additional funding to complete the dock project at Pineknotter Park, which includes finalizing the parking lot, building a ticket booth, and setting up a concession area. Once the riverboat is complete, the group hopes to have it set sail in either 2027 or 2028.

The takeaway

This riverboat project represents a significant investment in the Northumberland community's tourism and economic development around the Susquehanna River. By partnering with the new DegenSTEAM initiative, the nonprofit aims to not only provide educational and recreational cruises, but also serve as an innovation hub for STEAM-related activities that can benefit the local area.