Engaged Philanthropy

The story of the Sultana, deemed "the greatest maritime disaster in American history," is likely a story you've never been told. The Sultana Disaster Museum tells the forgotten story of the bravery and sacrifice of the Union soldiers and passengers aboard the steamboat Sultana and the chain of corruption that led to the boat's demise, as it exploded, burned and sank on April 27, 1865, near Marion, Arkansas.

Sultana Disaster Museum

The History & Mission

The Sultana, a Civil War-era paddle-wheel steamboat, exploded and burned on the Mississippi River on April 27, 1865. Acknowledged by Congressional Resolution as the greatest maritime disaster in United States history, nearly 1,200 of the more than 2,200 passengers and crew were killed in the explosion and fire which sank the Sultana near Marion, Arkansas, across the river from Memphis, Tennessee. Designed to carry only 376 passengers plus crew, investigations revealed a litany of corrupt practices, including kickbacks, and bribes paid to high-ranking Union officers caused the overcrowding of the boat. The disaster has been overlooked in history since it was overshadowed by the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and the search for his murderer. Events at the end of the Civil War conspired to wipe the memory of this tragic event from our national history for over 130 years.

The mission of the Sultana Disaster Museum is to tell the story of the tragedy that occurred on April 27, 1865, and the events that led up to that fateful night. The museum is committed to telling the full story of the steamboat, from its construction to its destruction and beyond.

The Future Museum

In 2022, FedEx challenged the Sultana Historical Preservation Society (SHPS) with an extraordinary opportunity: if the organization could raise $9 million, FedEx would contribute a $1 million donation to help complete the fundraising campaign for a new museum. When David Pickler, an Arkansas native, learned about the capital campaign, he felt a deep connection to the cause. Inspired to act, he and his team began raising awareness and support for the project.

Thanks to the collective effort of SHPS, supporters, and community champions like Pickler, the goal was achieved. By the end of May 2023, SHPS had raised a total of $9,296,594—officially securing the $1 million FedEx donation. This milestone marked the successful completion of the museum’s $10 million fundraising goal.

On June 2, 2023, FedEx publicly announced their million-dollar gift, solidifying the future of the new Sultana Disaster Museum. Plans for the museum include a state-of-the-art interactive exhibit, an orientation theater, a research library, an educational classroom, a community auditorium, and administrative offices.

The SHPS acquired the 1939 Marion School Auditorium-Gymnasium for renovation as the future home of the permanent Sultana Disaster Museum. Utilizing the talents of Haizlip Studio of Memphis, TN, a team of architects, planners, and exhibit designers are working on state-of-the-art concepts to be presented in this 21,000 square foot facility.

In April 2025, David and his team had the opportunity to tour both the existing museum and the future site, witnessing firsthand the progress and vision that will bring this important chapter of history to life.