If you are interested in maritime history, then the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is a great place to visit! It is located in Paradise, Michigan in the Upper Peninsula - surrounded by Lake Superior shoreline. Within the complex, there is the museum, the Lightower at Whitefish Point which is still in operation, gift shops with great nautical treasures and a sandy beach to feel the breeze of the Lake.
In the museum, there are exhibits and artifacts from the Lake Superior shipwrecks, including the legendary Edmund Fitzgerald. I had always been intrigued by the tragic story of the Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck (November 10, 1975) and wanted to see the memorial bell. Prior to visiting the museum, they have a "movie house" where they show a documentary about the Edmund Fitzgerald and has family members recounting stories about their lost love ones. One of the most touching and emotional parts about the documentary is when the expedition group (Nat'l Geographic Society, Canadian Navy and Sault Sainte Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians) bring the 200 pound bronze bell up from the shipwreck site at the family's request in 1995. They then sent a new one down into the water inscribed with each of the lost crew member's names. The documentary is a great prelude to seeing the actual bell. When I saw it, it was a very emotional and powerful experience. Say a prayer for all who work on the sea.
To visit and for more information:
Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
18335 N. Whitefish Point
Paradise, Michigan
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4 comments:
Now that I have visited I shall again as we drive to Michigan often to visit friends and your blog certainly gives me ideas on visiting other interesting sights in your state!
Love you dream log cabin!! That is my dream!
Thank you!
We visited this place a few years ago. It is an awesome place to visit. I also enjoyed the tour at the lighthouse and the lighthouse keepers house. And if I remember right they have a birding shop there too.
Fascinating! I would love to see it. My son was born on the 20th anniversary of the sinking of the Big Fitz.
Happen to visit your Blog. It's nice. Would not mind seeing that Museum, but it's pretty far away for me. The tragic story of the "Big Fitz", as she was called, is truly a sad thing to happen. All "hands" were lost. I always have thought of those who are in peril on the Sea. I even had to turn on comment moderation, because of stupid people out there, which I don't take too kindly of.
Nice to meet you. Stay well.
Les
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