By James Heinz
As our own Suzette Lopez has said, “Milwaukee was the location of the Association for Great Lakes Maritime History Conference on September 4 thru the 6th. Many great programs and tours were scheduled. The Wisconsin Marine Historical Society had the pleasure of hosting lunch and a tour of the Great Lakes Marine Collection on Friday at our headquarters in Milwaukee’s Central Library. Fifty people were “wowed” by all we have in our archives and how much our valued volunteers continue to do in identifying and processing collections that continue to come in and be added since Herman Runge’s collection first arrived in 1958. At the Saturday night dinner at South Shore Yacht Club, Patrick Labadie was awarded the President’s Award for all his contributions to marine history.”
And I was there.
After the AGLMH members had lunch in the Community conference room, I led them up to the second floor humanities room. Or, at least I thought I did. Once I got up to humanities, I found that half of them were missing. I retraced my steps and found the missing members at the top of the east main lobby staircase, patiently waiting for someone to come and open the door.
I felt like a shepherd as I guided my flock back to Humanities with the help of WMHS president Todd Gordon. There they listened to Suzette Lopez tell the origin story of WMHS while standing in front of our EDMUND FITZGERALD artifacts in the glass display case in the corridor, including the cursed christening bottle that was responsible for sinking the ship (https://wmhs.org/the-cause-of-the-sinking-of-the-edmund-fitzgerald-is-in-the-milwaukee-public-library/ ).
As the experienced tour guide that she is, Suzette conducted a tour of the Humanities Room while Todd, Susan Harloff and I tried to round up members of the group, many of whom had a tendency to wander off in random directions. Herding historians is like trying to herd cats.
We then moved into our hidden museum, where in front of our shrine dedicated to the memory of St. Herman of Runge, patron saint of obsessive marine data collectors, Suzette explained what our collection contains. The historians looked suitably impressed, or least suitably simulated being suitably impressed.
Suzette then moved the group into the work room where she continued her lecture as the historians gazed with awe upon the extent of our collection. I also contributed to the experience. Suzette and I’s relationship can best be compared to televised sporting events.
She did the play by play. I did the color commentary.
The historians then dispersed in time for them to get to their boat tour of the Milwaukee River and harbor. I am sure that WMHS will receive many requests for information from members of the AGLMH members.
WMHS President Todd Gordon welcomes the AGLMH group.
The tour begins
The following shows where “the magic happens”
Tour guides Susan Harloff, Jim Heinz and Suzette
Jeri Baron Feltner and Suzette – together again
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James Heinz is the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society’s acquisitions director. He became interested in maritime history as a kid watching Jacques Cousteau’s adventures on TV. He was a Great Lakes wreck diver until three episodes of the bends forced him to retire from diving. He was a University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee police officer for thirty years. He regularly flies either a Cessna 152 or 172.
