Friends of the Jordan River Watershed to Host Ribbon Cutting Celebration for New Flatboat Exhibit

The Friends of the Jordan River Watershed (FJR) and the East Jordan Area Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 18, 2025 at 11:00 am to unveil its newly renovated Jordan River Flatboat Exhibit, honoring both the history of the river and the people who dedicated their lives to its protection. The exhibit centers around an original Jordan River flatboat, donated to FJR by the wife and daughters of the late Dr. David Pray, a beloved East Jordan dentist of 40 years, avid trout fisherman, and river guide. Dr. Pray spent his summers guiding with legendary guide Teddy Kotowich while putting himself through Michigan State College and the University of Michigan Dental School. He went on to serve as president of the Jordan River Watershed Commission (JRWC) in the 1960s, where he played a pivotal role in the Jordan River’s designation as Michigan’s first “wild and scenic” river under the Natural Rivers Act of 1972. For 15 years, Dr. Pray’s flatboat was a familiar sight in the pavilion at the Friends of the Jordan River Watershed Center. Recently, the exhibit was completely renovated. The new exhibit features the preserved boat along with historic photographs, maps, and interpretive text. The project was supported in part by a $20,000 grant from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation, helping the FJR reach its $25,000 fundraising goal. The exhibit was brought to life by Tim Goodwin, who researched and wrote the narrative, and designed by Keeney Swearer of Intentional Design Studio, who is also exhibit designer at Mackinac State Historic Parks. “This exhibit is more than just a boat—it’s a tribute to the people and the stories that shaped the Jordan River’s legacy,” said Rich Dietrich, President of FJR. “We invite the public to celebrate this milestone with us and to help preserve this history for generations to come.” The ribbon cutting celebration will take place at the Friends of the Jordan River Watershed Center in East Jordan. The event is free and open to the public. Event Details: 📍 Location: Friends of the Jordan River Watershed Center, 101 Union Street, East Jordan, MI 📅 Date: September 18, 2025 ⏰ Time: 11:00 am For more information about the event, or to make a contribution toward the exhibit, please visit https://friendsofthejordan.org.