POINT PLEASANT — Over the years the Point Pleasant River Museum has become quite a tourist destination.

And Jack Fowler, executive director of the museum, has helped the river museum grow and become what it is today.

According to Fowler, the concept for the river museum came from a group of people that banded together with their history of being on the river, and their desire to preserve the river’s history. With help from various grants the museum got its start and was able to become a 501C3 non-profit organization.

With other grants and donations the museum moved forward, but it reached a dormant period for a few years. Fowler came on board when former Point Pleasant Mayor John Roach asked him to see if he could build the river museum.

“I said I’d try (building) the first floor of the museum. I wrote grants and got money through the state needed to build the front facade,” Fowler said. “Once that was complete people had confidence that perhaps the museum would happen.”

He added that the museum then began to receive both donations and exhibits. According to Fowler, the biggest contributions to the museum come from other states.

Fowler would later become executive director of the river museum in 2003, and he said that he has enjoyed the experience of being director tremendously. On a personal level, Fowler enjoys his job because of his ties to the river.

“My background in relation to the river is my family. My father worked at the Marietta Plant and my grandfather was on the river,” he said, adding that his family’s involvement generated his interest in the river.

In addition, Fowler worked at the Marietta Plant in both high school and college which added to his knowledge of plants and boats. Despite his knowledge of the river, Fowler said that he never envisioned himself working at a museum.

“Did I ever think I’d be a director of a museum? No, but now I look back and it was a good decision,” Fowler said.

And it certainly has been a good decision as Fowler described his favorite part of his job as meeting people who come to the museum as well as seeing the museum grow. In fact, Fowler described watching the museum develop as the most interesting part of his job as executive director.

“We’ve created a lot of things here. Watching (the museum) develop with our ideas (is interesting). My foot print is all over (the museum),” Fowler said, adding that the museum constantly focuses on bringing in new exhibits and art in order to continue to attract visitors.

Recent new additions to the museum that Fowler said he was very proud of include adding the 2,400 gallon aquarium and building the pilot house. In addition, he said that he was pleased with the museum’s latest development, The Captain’s Creamery, which is an ice cream shop that opened in May. Future plans for the museum include putting a simulator in.

“We are excited for (the simulator) exhibit, and our anxious o get it in,” he said. “That’s what makes this job fun — the excitement of new things, and see people come and enjoy what we’ve created. That’s what it is all about, and that is what’s kept me here for 10 years.”

Fowler expressed his desire for the river museum to continue growth and to be an asset to the community as well.

During his time at the river museum, Fowler said that he has made several great memories. However, he recalled his fondest memory as the day the pilot house was dedicated. According to Fowler, no one knew what the name of the pilot house would be, and both Jean and Ann, the wives of former river workers, were in attendance. Museum staff had the pilot house covered up and when they dropped the cover, the Jean Ann name was revealed.

“It was very emotional. Most people cried,” Fowler said.

With Fowler’s job as museum director not only comes fond memories, but also great responsibility. According to Fowler, he is in charge of nearly all facets of the museum, including raising money, bringing in art, creating exhibits, taking care of the aquarium and feeding the fish, buying supplies for the Captain’s Creamery, maintenance and taking care of the financial aspects.

“You do what needs to be done, but you still work to grow and develop — it is a challenge, but it is fun,” Fowler said of his job.

Fowler described his daily schedule as working at his home office at 6 a.m. doing correspondents and planning for various projects. When he arrives at the museum he checks on the aquarium and does various maintenance work. In addition, Fowler often gives tours and spends the majority of his day working with the public. On top of the normal work load, he often attends various meetings.

“There is no limit to what you might have to do as (river museum) director,” he said, adding that he has been blessed with people to help run the museum as well as help from various volunteers.

Fowler described the most difficult aspect of his job as dealing with the current economy.

“We still need donations from people to continue to run,” he said.

Despite the hard parts, Fowler described his job as a wonderful experience.

“I truly love it. It will be difficult to leave,” he said.

Fowler encouraged others to accept challenges and complete the tasks ahead of them.

“Throughout your life when you are given a project commit to it and do it. If you’ve accepted the challenge, do it,” he said.

This is certainly one piece of advice that Fowler has applied to his own life as he continues to rise to the challenge as executive director of the Point Pleasant River Museum by working hard to see the museum grow as well as benefit the community.

(If you know someone who could be a potential candidate for an upcoming “Day in the Life” feature, e-mail his or her contact information to mdrnews@mydailyregister.com or call 304-675-1333).