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Shipwreck Society Receives $40,000 Grant to Paint Light Tower
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The famous Light Tower at Whitefish Point has been in continuous operation for 147 years. While the U.S. Coast Guard continues to maintain its life-saving beacon, the tower itself became property of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society in 1998. The Society is now responsible for maintaining this wonderful lighthouse, an icon for so many Michigan residents and visitors.
The Society announces that Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program has awarded $40,000 in funding for tower restoration on a matching basis. While this money will go a long way, it is not enough to complete the entire project – a very major job. The Shipwreck Society needs to raise additional money, and we are asking our members and the public for help over the course of the summer.
The Society is organizing a fundraising campaign for this purpose. If you would like to help preserve the Whitefish Point Lighthouse, please complete the web site contact form by clicking the title above or the picture of the light; or, simply call the Shipwreck Society offices toll-free at 800-635-1742 – ask for Sean Ley, Development Officer.
The Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program is supported by sales of the “Save Our Lights” state license plates. Click on the link below to see a story about the 1861 tower and this important project, by Society Board Member Corey Adkins, of TV 9 & 10 News.
Preserving the Whitefish Point Light Tower
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum opens for the 2008 season on Thursday, May 1. Hours are 10 am to 6 pm, every day through October 31. Call 888-492-3747 for information.
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Rifle Raffle 2008 - Tickets Now Available
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The Shipwreck Society will be offering the last Commemorative Limited Edition Edmund Fitzgerald Rifle through its 2008 Raffle. Only 50 of these valuable collector’s pieces were handmade by Rocky Mountain Firearms of Ft. Collins, Colorado. This particular rifle, number 2 of 50, is the last remaining of the series, with a retail value over $3,000.
First prize: Winchester Model 94 Lever-Action Rifle created to commemorate the 30th anniversary loss of the famous steamer. The rifle features a 24k gold-plated action, lever, and octagonal barrel, and is engraved with images of the Fitzgerald’s history and scenes of the Whitefish Point Light Station. The rifle comes with a custom leather-trimmed case.
Second prize: Framed print of the famous oil painting Passage in Moonlight by artist David Conklin. This limited edition print is signed and numbered by the artist and Canadian Folksinger Gordon Lightfoot.
Third prize: A weekend for two in the beautifully restored U.S. Coast Guard Crews Quarters building at Whitefish Point. Each private room features a bath, television, queen bed, and DSL internet.
Tickets prices are $5.00 each or 5 tickets for $20.00. Ticket purchasers must be 18 years or older. The drawing for the 2008 raffle will be held in the Sault on Monday, December 8, 2008.
Proceeds will be used to match a Michigan Lighthouse Assistance Program grant to restore the Whitefish Point Light Tower.
Tickets are now on sale and may be purchased by calling the Shipwreck Coast Museum Store at 888-492-3747. Raffle proceeds will be used to support GLSHS offshore underwater shipwreck research efforts. Michigan Lottery License # R-95713.
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Humanities Grant Received for Historic US Weather Bureau Building Exhibit
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GLSHS sincerely thanks Michigan Humanities Council for a new $15,000 matching grant that will fund the exhibit to be installed in the west gallery space on the first floor: This project is made possible in part by a grant from Michigan Humanities Council, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities. For more information about Michigan Humanities, please visit their web site at www.michiganhumanities.org
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society has signed a 25-year lease with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for use of the historic 1899 Weather Bureau Building, located in Locks Park, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The Society plans to move its Sault Ste. Marie offices into this building.
The first floor will be used as exhibit space and will encourage visitors to attend the Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point; second floor for administrative offices; and third floor for the museum’s Great Lakes Images and Papers collection storage; this collection will be open to the public by appointment.
Interior restoration of the building began in the spring of 2007. The Shipwreck Society graciously thanks 84 Lumber Company of Ann Arbor and Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors for their generous support. We also wish to thank Lock City Home Center of Sault Ste. Marie; Waste Management; and Kinross Correctional Facility for their kind contributions towards historic rehabilitation. The museum hopes to move into the building by summer 2008; depending on funding.
Initial support for the exterior restoration and interior rehabilitation design plan was provided by the Michigan Department of History, Arts, and Libraries; the plan was prepared by U.P. Engineers & Architects of Marquette, Michigan, with assistance from the museum’s exhibit designer, Mr. James Kelly.
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Society Mourns Loss of Fred and Barbara Leete
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Longtime Shipwreck Society members Fred and Barbara Leete both passed away in an accident on February 28 at their home in Indiana. Fred's support of the Shipwreck Society was extraordinary over many years; he was instrumental in soliciting the Ontario Ministry of Culture seeking permission to raise the bell on behalf of family members; and he donated many historically valuable artifacts to the Surfboat House restoration and exhibit project. Fred and Barbara continually spread the good word about the mission and many programs and activities of the Shipwreck Society. Please click on the title above or image (Fred on the 1995 Fitzgerald Bell Recovery Expedition) to see the official press release as prepared by Mike Fornes of the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.
We will miss you, Fred and Barbara.
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Public Meeting a Success
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The public meeting about the Shipwreck Museum's new Cultural Resource Management and Building Use Plan held on Wednesday, January 23 in Sault Ste. Marie, drew a crowd that appeared to express unanimous support for the plan.
Comments heard, received by e-mail, or by written letter, have been reviewed and summarized by Diekema Hamann and then incorporated into a final version of this document.
You may view or print a copy of the completed document by clicking on the link below. The public is invited to call 800-635-1742 toll-free for more information.
Cultural Resource Management and Building Use Plan for Whitefish Point
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Shipwreck Museum Wins 2007 State History Award
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The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum has been honored with a State History Award by the Historical Society of Michigan in the category Communications: Newsletters and Websites. The award was presented by HSM Board Member Steve Williams and accepted by Shipwreck Society Development Officer Sean Ley at the 133rd Annual State History Conference in Macomb County, Michigan, at the end of September.
Since its inception in 1978, the Shipwreck Society has published a quarterly newsletter called The Shipwreck Journal which is mailed regularly to all members by either US Mail or electronic mail. It has a subscription of 1,700. The award was given for outstanding quality in both this newsletter and in this website.
The State History Awards are the highest recognition presented by Michigan’s official historical society, which is also the oldest cultural organization in the state, established in 1828.
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Shipwreck Society Locates Wreck of historic Cyprus
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Lost within Lake Superior’s mysteries for 100 years, the wreck of the historic Cyprus has been located by the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society. She is a 420-foot steel steamer, lying on her port side in 460 feet of water, untouched, and completely intact but for sections of her wooden deck cabins destroyed in the sinking. As this discovery reveals such an excellent glimpse of life aboard on October 11, 1907, it has quickly become a major news event.
Please click on the headline or image to visit the story under Press Releases.
Please click on the following link to see the video story of this exciting find on the 9 & 10 News Website, produced by GLSHS Board Member Corey Adkins:
Visit 9 & 10 News
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Overnight Accommodations... Stay at the Light Station
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A unique travel and educational experience available year round, you can now visit Whitefish Point Light Station and experience premium overnight accommodations for an evening or two with guided museum tours. Click image for details.
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Museum Wins Midwest Travel Writers Award
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The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum was recently awarded a 2006 GEMmy Award by the Midwest Travel Writers Association. GEMmys are awarded by MTWA to travel destinations that offer an exceptional travel experience worthy of being called true gems.
In nominating the museum, Diana Lambdin Meyer, travel writer from Parkville, Missouri, said, “This museum presents a well-documented look into a rather unknown part of American Commerce. The leaders and supporters of this museum teach us to appreciate the contributions of those who live and die in this massive maritime region.”
Founded in 1951, MTWA is the oldest association of professional travel writers in the United States. The organization includes travel writers and public relations professional who live in one of the 13 Midwestern states, all of whom specialize in the travel industry.
For more information, click on the image to go to Press Releases.
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Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
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The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs serves to encourage, develop and facilitate an enriched environment of artistic, creative and cultural activity in Michigan. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is again an Anchor Organization of MCACA for 2007-2008.
MCACA goals are to
strengthen arts and culture;
support arts education;
recognize, reflect and celebrate cultural pluralism and broaden cultural understanding;
establish and facilitate communications networks;
increase visibility and awareness of the arts and culture;
encourage new, creative and innovative works of art; and
expand and develop funding resources.
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Soo Locks Live Cam
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Watch vessel passages, check out live cams at the locks. Click image and wait a few extra seconds while you are transferred to the secure site. Real time images may be delayed for security reasons.
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