Seeking St. Louis Levee / Riverboat Photos

Hello!

I am a steamboat museum curator on the Ohio River in Indiana and have long been interested in the old riverboats that were moored at the St. Louis levee as tourist attractions such as the RIVER QUEEN, GOLDENROD SHOWBOAT, BECKY THATCHER, etc. The late Miss Ruth Ferris, who was curator and designer of the Midship Museum aboard the sternwheeler BECKY THATCHER (formerly the steamboat MISSISSIPPI, was a dear friend of mine. She was a retired teacher from the Community School and later served as curator of the River Room at the Jefferson Memorial -- the steamer Golden Eagle pilothouse and excellent river collection now dismantled and stored, sorry to say.

In January, 1995, I talked with former Globe-Democrat photographer Gary Clermont, who had a special interest in the riverfront and who had taken numerous photos of the boats and people involved with them, such as Frank Pierson, etc. Sadly, Gary died just a few weeks after we first talked. His widow, Mary Lou, did contact me and sent me a few photos she found, but I lost track of her.

I have looked at some of the photos at the UMSL, but there are many glossy prints that are missing (from news clipping photos) and I was wondering if anybody out there might know of any other people or collections I might contact.

Thanks very much!
Keith