Manistee-based museum ship receives Steamship Society award
Manistee, MI – The former Lake Michigan car ferry SS City of Milwaukee in Manistee, Mich. has recently been announced as the winner of the Steamship Historical Society’s Museum Ship of the Year award.
“This was a complete surprise,” said Linda Spencer, the museum ship’s general manager. The City of Milwaukee was built in 1931 in Manitowoc, Wis. for the Grand Trunk Milwaukee Car Ferry Co. It replaced the car ferry Milwaukee, which sank in Lake Michigan on Oct. 22, 1929.
Beginning in 1931, the SS City of Milwaukee operated for over 50 years ferrying passengers and railroad cars across Lake Michigan between Milwaukee, Wis. and Muskegon, Mich. The ship had a carrying capacity of 28–32 fully loaded rail cars and was powered by four Scotch marine boilers.
The City of Milwaukee was part of the Grand Trunk fleet until 1978 when it was chartered to the Ann Arbor Railroad. After being retired from service in 1982, the ship was moored in Frankfort, Mich. for several years before being moved to Manistee.
In its award citation, the Steamship Historical Society noted that City of Milwaukee is a National Historic Landmark and is the last traditional railroad car ferry afloat in the Great Lakes with its original triple expansion steam engine, woodwork and brass fixtures intact.
A celebration of the 90th anniversary of SS City of Milwaukee’s launch is planned for Aug. 28, 2021 in Manistee. Representatives of the Steamship Historical Society will be in attendance to present the Museum Ship of the Year award. A luncheon and silent auction are also planned.
Following recent flooding in the marina where the ship is moored in, the decision was made to move the City of Milwaukee’s gift shop to the inside of the vessel. In addition, the ship has recently had some remodeling done, including fresh coats of paint and power washing, in honor of the approaching 90th anniversary.
That is something that couldn’t have been done without the “great volunteers and great donors,” Spencer noted. Volunteers are also important to operating the ship’s “boatel” on board lodging program, offering ship tours and holding special events onboard such as the annual “Ghost Ship” Halloween tours.
Manistee News
Foundation launches $45K match campaign for Michigan Maritime Museum
South Haven, MI – The Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation is launching it’s second matching grant fundraising campaign to support funding of the planned expansion at one of South Haven’s most iconic attractions, the Michigan Maritime Museum. From now until September 30, 2021, the SHCF will match, dollar for dollar, all donations made to The Foundation for the project, up to $45,000, for a total contribution of $90,000 towards the local museums’ new Heritage Center.
The Michigan Maritime Museum has established itself over the past four decades as a leader in the preservation of Michigan’s Great Lakes maritime heritage, offering a center for education, research and enrichment. As a destination asset for the City of South Haven and the greater West Michigan region, the museum drives thousands of visitors to the area each year. It’s expansion will meet growing visitor demand and keep South Haven’s harbor an authentic, living representation of Great Lakes maritime culture.
Contributions to the SHCF’s “Launching a Legacy” match campaign can be made by sending to Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 507, South Haven, MI 49090. Please note MMM Legacy Campaign. For more information about the Michigan Maritime Museum and “Launching a Legacy” capital campaign, visit www.michiganmaritimemuseum.org/launching-a-legacy/
Last year the foundation raised and matched nearly $19,000 in public funds in an effort to support the city’s Splash Pad, donating $38,000 towards the project. Since inception, the Foundation has contributed over $500,000 to local non-profit initiatives. To learn more about the Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation and it’s impact on the region.
Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation
