"Voices Silent, Not Forgotten"
The Great Lakes Mariners Memorial Project has commenced to remember the more than 6,000 ships and 30,000 lives lost on the Great Lakes since the foundering of LaSalle's Griffin in 1679. Our goal is to bring recognition, that is long overdue, to those who have lost their lives, and to those of the U.S. Life Saving Service and U.S. Coast Guard who put themselves in harm's way to render assistance to mariners.
GLSHS has a proven record of success in its ability to conceive, design, promote, and implement a project of this nature. The campaign has the endorsements of many in the Great Lakes maritime community. Our supporters are confident that GLSHS is the best organization to create an international Great Lakes Mariners Memorial and that Whitefish Point is the fitting location for the tribute.
The project involves construction of two new wings to be added to the existing Shipwreck Museum Building. One will house a changing exhibits gallery; the other will house a 125-seat theatre and lecture hall. Incorporated into these wings will be a Great Lakes Mariners Memorial Exhibit - planned to be a powerful, world-class exhibit, expressed with fine art, with the Edmund Fitzgerald's bell as centerpiece.
The Great Lakes Mariners Memorial Project is included in the 2002 Human Use and Natural Resource Plan for Whitefish Point. It is also included in funding recently received from the Federal Scenic ByWays program for design of elements of the Plan.
Endorsements
Dennis Hale
Sole survivor of the wreck of the Daniel J. Morrell, November 29, 1966
"Since the night that the Daniel J. Morrell sank, I have always wondered why I was the only one to have been spared. Now I know. I am here to preserve the memory of my friends, of my fellow Great Lakes mariners, who were lost. I wholeheartedly support the Great Lakes Mariners Memorial Project."
Ruth Hudson
Mother of Bruce Hudson, 23 year old crewman lost with the Edmund Fitzgerald, November 10, 1975
"The process of healing takes a long time. For those of us who have lost loved ones to shipwreck, this memorial will be the best way for us to remember our time together."
Gordon Lightfoot
Folksinger/Songwriter, Honorary Campaign Chairman
"This project has my full support. I commend the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society for its outstanding accomplishments."
Contributing to the Great Lakes Mariners Memorial Campaign
Not many of us have an opportunity to preserve and interpret the history of an industry that played such an important role in achieving the prosperity that North America now enjoys. That opportunity now exists with the creation of an International Great Lakes Mariners Memorial at Whitefish Point. We invite you to become involved in supporting this exciting project.
Funding the Great Lakes Mariners Memorial Project will be the largest private capital campaign ever undertaken by the Shipwreck Society. Society leaders are very interested in hearing from individuals, corporations, and foundations who may wish to support the memory of Great Lakes Mariners.
To begin discussion of a contribution, please visit contact information in this area of the site.
