The Edmund Fitzgerald carried taconite iron ore from Duluth, Minn., to iron works near several Great Lakes ports. She sank during a Lake Superior storm on Nov. 10, 1975, with the loss of the entire crew of 29. Great Lakes Marine Collection – MPL/WMHS

Preserving history since 1959

Your Source of Great Lakes Marine History

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We Preserve and Share
Great Lakes Marine History

The Wisconsin Marine Historical Society is a passionate and dedicated non-profit organization committed to preserving the rich history of the Great Lakes. With a membership of 150 individuals, we are proud to be affiliated with the esteemed Milwaukee Public Library.

Uncover Hidden Treasures

The Wisconsin Marine Historical Society boasts an extensive and diverse collection that encapsulates the true essence of Great Lakes marine history. From the early settlers and fur traders to the bustling steamships and iconic lighthouses, each artifact tells a unique story waiting to be unlocked. Immerse yourself in the beauty, magnificence, and hardships of our maritime past.

The Angeline making her way under the Wells Street bridge of the Milwaukee River.
Great Lakes Marine Collection – MPL/WMHS

November 10, 1975

November 10, 1975. The day the EDMUND FITZGERALD was lost along with her captain and crew. One of those historic moments where you will always remember what you were doing when you heard the news.

The EDMUND FITZGERALD was built by the Great Lakes Engineering Works at River Rouge, Michigan, and launched on June 7, 1958. The “Big Fitz” was christened by Elizabeth Bacon Fitzgerald, wife of the ships namesake. Over 10,000 people were there for the launching and over 900 workers were involved with the construction which cost $8.4 million. The FITZ was the largest ship ever to be launched sideways.

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Photography and tales of shipwrecks and stories of spooky lakes are topics for WMHS’ monthly Book Club

Shipwreck stories extending far beyond their tragic endings is the theme of a book by John Odin Jensen and photography by Wisconsin maritime archaeologist Tamara Thomsen.

“The dramatic takes of disaster, heroism, and folly become even more compelling when viewed as junction points in history –– connecting to stories about the frontier, the environment, immigration, politics, technology, and industry,” Jensen writes in Stories from the Wreckage.

The book is featured at the October Wisconsin Marine Historical Society Book Club meeting.

Spooky Lakes: 25 Strange and Mysterious Lakes that Dot Our Planet by TikTok star and educator Geo Rutherford is the Club’s pick for November.

This slim, illustrated nonfiction book takes the reader deep into the mysterious, spooky lates around the world. There’s Lake Natron, a Tanzanian lake so briny its waters can mummify any creature that touches its surface. Another is Lake Superior, where the crew of the USS Kamloops, which mysteriously disappeared in 1921, remains somehow almost perfectly preserved. There’s Lake Maracaibo, a Venezuelan tidal bay where a constantly brewing storm sends an average of 28 lightning bolts per second into the water.

The author discusses not only the science of hydrology, but why understanding the natural world is crucial to protecting it from pollution and climate change.

The group meets at 7 p.m. via Zoom each month. If you’re interested in joining the club for interesting books and conversation, email WMHS at wmhs@wmhs.org to register.

It’s free to join.

Discover the rich marine history of the Great Lakes.

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Officers 2024

President: Todd Gordon
Vice President: Christopher Winters
Secretary: Janyce T. Hetzel
Treasurer: Nancy Carpenter
Executive Director: Suzette J. Lopez
Past President: Carl Eisenberg
Milwaukee Public Library Special Collections Coordinator: Kirsten Thompson

Trustees 2024

Nancy Carpenter
Jackie Q. Carter
Carolyn Colwell
Carl Eisenberg
Kathie Uttech Gordon
Todd Gordon
Joe Grygny
Stephen Haynes
James Heinz
Janyce T. Hetzel
Peter Hirthe
Cal Kothrade
Ashley Lemke
John M. Murphy
Dan Patrinos
William J. Staat
Kirsten Thompson
Christopher Winters

Nancy Carpenter
Jackie Q. Carter
Carolyn Colwell
Carl Eisenberg
Kathie Uttech Gordon

Todd Gordon
Joe Grygny
Stephen Haynes
James Heinz
Janyce T. Hetzel

Peter Hirthe
Cal Kothrade
Ashley Lemke
John M. Murphy
Dan Patrinos

William J. Staat
Kirsten Thompson
Christopher Winters

Committees

Acquisition Curator: James Heinz
Information Services: Dan Patrinos, Chair
Maritime Ambassador: Peter Hirthe
Membership: Stephen Haynes

Program: Nancy Carpenter, Chair
Promotion and Marketing: Joe Grygny, Chair
Shipwreck Ambassador: Cal Kothrade

Soundings Editor: Kathie Uttech Gordon

Events

November 18, 2024 - Treasures of the Great Lakes - Milwaukee Public Library - 11:30am

Treasures of the Great Lakes
Monday, October 21
11:30 am-12:30 pm

Milwaukee Central Library
814 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Krikelas Room, 2nd floor

FREE

Join us for an interactive PowerPoint

November 18 – Edmund Fitzgerald – The Man, The Ship,

The Model and his Maritime History

When Julianna Real Fitzgerald landed in New York in 1836 with her husband and children, little did she know her six sons would become well-known Lake Captains and her great grandson would be a well-respected civic leader with a grand flagship named after him. Enjoy interesting stories and photos of the ship and history the Fitzgerald family has contributed to Great Lakes shipping.

November 20, 2024 - Book Club - 7 p.m. Zoom

* Moved from October due to book delay

Spooky Lakes: 25 Strange and Mysterious Lakes that Dot our Planet by Geo Rutherford

(96 pages, 8-11 years, hardcover, $24.99 on Amazon)

Amazon: “Dive into the most mysterious waters around the world (if you dare) in Spooky Lakes, an illustrated nonfiction book from TikTok star and educator Geo Rutherford

“Some of Earth’s strangest—and creepiest—wonders lie deep below the surface. There’s Lake Natron, a Tanzanian lake so briny that its waters can mummify any creature that touches its surface; Lake Maracaibo, a Venezuelan tidal bay where a constantly brewing storm sends an average of 28 lightning bolts per second into the water; and at the bottom of Lake Superior, the crew of the USS Kamloops—which mysteriously disappeared in 1921—remains somehow almost perfectly preserved to this day.

“From Geo Rutherford—the creator of the hit series Spooky Lake Month (over 65 million likes!)—comes this thrilling nonfiction book that plumbs the depths of 25 unusual lakes around the world. Readers will learn not only about the science of hydrology, but why understanding the natural world is crucial to protecting it from pollution and climate change. Backed by extensive research and packed with all-new content—including eerie and eye-popping watercolor illustrations in full color—Spooky Lakes takes readers on an adventure through weird and wild waters.

“Includes a glossary, bibliography, author’s note, and index.

Contents Lake Superior (United States and Canada)

Roopkund Lake (India)

Lake Karachay (Russia)

Lake Nicaragua (Nicaragua)

Nyiragongo Lava Lake (Democratic Republic of the Congo)

Toxic Lake (Romania)

Yellowstone Hot Springs (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, United States)

Kaindy Lake (Kazakhstan)

Cenotes (Mexico)

Jellyfish Lake (Palau)

Kaali Crater Lake (Estonia)

Kawah-Ijen (Indonesia)

Lake Vostok (Antarctica)

Lake Maracaibo (Venezuela)

Lake Nyos (Cameroon)

Pitch Lake (Trinidad)

Spirit Lake (Washington, United States)

Qiandao Lake (China)

Lake Chagan (Kazakhstan)

Underwater Brine Lakes (Gulf of Mexico)

Lake Natron (Tanzania)

Crater Lake (Oregon, United States)

Lake Guatavita (Colombia)

The Shaft (Australia/near Mount Gambier)

Lake Baikal (Russia)”

The Book Club generally meets via Zoom each month.

Email wmhs@wmhs.org to register for the book club.

December 4, 2024 - 41st Annual Christmas Tree Ship Holiday Dinner

Wisconsin Marine Historical Society’s

41^st Annual Christmas Tree Ship Holiday Dinner

Milwaukee Yacht Club, 1700 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive

Tamara Thomsen

A maritime archaeologist with the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Maritime Preservation and Archaeology program, her research has resulted in the nomination of 41 Great Lakes shipwrecks to the National Register of Historic Places.

Myths and Mysteries: Underwater Archaeological Investigation of the Christmas Tree Ship, ROUSE SIMMONS

6 pm check in; 7 pm dinner; 8 pm program

By reservation only

Email wmhs59@gmail.com for complete details

December 16, 2024 - Treasures of the Great Lakes - Milwaukee Public Library - 11:30am