Events
Something exciting is always happening at the Musuem. Have fun learning in a class or participate in an event. There is an activity sure to please everyone. Looking to sail on Friends Good Will? Check out our 2010 Sailing Schedule and our Special Events Calendar
Check out these special events!
Upcoming Events
| Dates | Event |
| July 28-30 | Solo Canoe Building Class |
| August 12-16 | Friends Good Will in Green Bay |
| August 19-22 | South Haven Tall Ship Rendezvous |
| August 24-30 | Friends Good Will in Chicago |
| August 25-27 | Davis Dinghy Boat Building Class |
| August 28 | Outboard Motor Swap Meet |
| September 5 | Rotary Pancake Breakfast |
| September 16-19 | Friends Good Will in St. Joseph |
| September 24-26 | Solo Canoe Building Class |
| September 29-Oct. 4 | Friends Good Will in Muskegon |
The Michigan Maritime Museum to Host Tall Ship Rendezvous
The tall ships are headed to South Haven for a rendezvous, August 18 -22. On returning from a festival in Green Bay, the Museum’s tall ship Friends Good Will will lead three visiting ships into the harbor for five days of maritime celebration and excitement. Historical reenactments and presentations have been scheduled for the event and dockside tours, lead by ships crews in appropriate period dress, will be conducted on each of the visiting ships. On Saturday, maritime musician Tom Murdock will be performing three concerts on the museum campus. Additional music is being planned for Sunday.
Visiting ships include:
La Revenante is a Canadian flagged Pinky Schooner, with fine lines and representative of so many smaller “boats” found primarily on the east coast, although not unknown on the Great Lakes. Such craft were merchant ships in times of peace and armed raiders and troop transports during all too frequent times of war. The name La Revenante is French, for “the ghost.”
Royaliste is from California and sports an unusual rig; a square topsail ketch. Her Ship’s Company reenact periods of maritime history from pirates, to the French and Indian War and War of 1812. She is well armed and will likely be seen and heard “smoking” near the pier head, quite possibly engaged in duels with Friends Good Will. Royaliste will add some good fun, a lighter perspective and still educate visitors about other aspects of our maritime past.
Madeline is a re-creation, built in Traverse City, MI, of an 1850’s style lumber schooner. She is owned and operated by volunteers and members of the Maritime Heritage Alliance. At one point, her namesake actually served as the first school in Grand Traverse County.
Friend’s Good Will, the flagship of the Michigan Maritime Museum, is a replica of a square top mast sloop of the same name that sailed and fought in the War of 1812. The only ship of the quartet licensed to take passengers onto Lake Michigan, the FGW will be available for some dockside tours, but will also be conducting special historical sails on Lake Michigan. Separate reservations can be made on the Museum’s web site or by calling 1-800-747-3810.
Admission to the rendezvous is $15 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under. All fees include dockside tours on the visiting ships, planned presentations and entrance to all of the Museum’s exhibits and attractions. Family memberships to the museum are available for $50 and include all of the Rendezvous attractions plus the benefits of membership include a 15% discount on all merchandise at the Museum Store.
Last year the Museum hosted two ships, Nina and Pinta (Santa Clara) and the weekend was a tremendous success. This year’s event is expected to attract even larger crowds and offer even more educational opportunities.
