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MDOT Underwater Documentation Project 2008
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The Shipwreck Society was able to complete underwater imaging work on the historic wreck of the Samuel Mather in the summer of 2007. We again thank Society diver Steve Ouellette and his technical diving team for their careful measurements, photographs, and assistance to the ROV on expeditions to these wrecks. Please click on the image to view complete project information. At the close of the season the Society was working on imaging the Comet in lower Whitefish Bay. Here is Ken Marschall's acrylic painting of the Mather as she lies where she went down in 1891, 180 feet below the surface of Lake Superior.
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Fog Signal Exterior Restoration Completed
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Work to restore the exterior of the historic 1937 Fog Signal Building at Whitefish Point, supported by a grant from The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, has been completed.
This grant was conducted in cooperation with Whitefish Township to restore the roof, east window, and exterior doors. A companion grant award from the Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program, administered through the State Historic Preservation Office, allowed the fog Signal to finally be restored as closely as possible to its 1937 appearance, including replica diaphones and exterior hardware.
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Michigan Humanities Council Funds Surfboat House Panels
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A grant of $15,000 from Michigan Humanities Council has funded fabrication and installation of a series of 10 interpretive panels in the 1923 U.S. Coast Guard Surfboat House. Research for these panels was conducted during most of 2005 with professional maritime scholars assisting Shipwreck Museum staff. The panels were fabricated with the assistance of Mr. Art Shea of the Milwaukee Public Museum; Mr. Shea and James Kelly, Senior Exhibit Designer for the Milwaukee Public Museum installed them in mid-October 2005.
The official award notification reads: “This project, ‘Interpretive Panels for the U.S. Coast Guard Surfboat House’ is made possible in part by a grant from Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this project do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or Michigan Humanities Council.”
The Shipwreck Society expresses its sincere appreciation to Michigan Humanities Council for this funding. Support for other surfboat house exhibits and display cases is being provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and private contributions.
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Crews Quarters Continues to be Popular
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The Crews Quarters Overnight Program is designed for those interested in Whitefish Point and its human and natural histories, to stay overnight on site, in one of five beautifully restored guest bedrooms. Each is tastefully furnished with queen bed and its own private bath. Reservations for this program are essential; please call toll-free 888-492-3747. Click on the image to go to the related section of this web site for complete information and on-line reservations. We invite you to spend a quiet evening at historic Whitefish Point! Although the drive out to Whitefish Point was a bit harrowing the evening of the 9th, the charm of the Crew Quarters protecting us from the storm raging outside really brought home the power and fury of the “Storms of November”...Whitefish Point is a wonderful tribute to the people who lived and died on the Great Lakes; you have done such a great job in bringing it to the public. -- Lt. Cmdr. Robert Gwalchmai, Canadian Navy Crews Quarters Guest, November 2005.
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Maritime Heritage Destination
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The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum has been officially designated a Maritime Heritage Destination by the Michigan Department of History, Arts, and Libraries. This has opened new avenues of MARKETING PARTNERSHIPS for the museum! The museum is actively working on new initiatives with both the Sault Sainte Marie and Mackinaw City Convention and Visitors bureaus; the Soo Locks Visitor Center Association; and with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which has led to definite plans to move our administrative offices in the Soo into the historic Marine Library Building located in Locks Park. The museum has again been named an Anchor Organization of Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs for 2007-2008.
Click on this wintry image of the Edmund Fitzgerald to go to Travel Michigan's Web Site, where you will find a Heritage Driving Tour called "Echoes of the Edmund Fitzgerald." The Shipwreck Museum is now linked to all maritime attractions in the Upper Peninsula. Visitors to the UP are encouraged to try this special driving tour.
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