Museum Hosts Fitzgerald Experience: Special Tours Reflecting on One of the Most Storied Shipwrecks in Great Lakes History
On Saturday, November 9, and Sunday, November 10, the National Museum of the Great Lakes will commemorate the 49th anniversary of the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald with exclusive guided tours, presented by Lathrop & The Collaborative. The Fitzgerald Experience invites visitors aboard the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship to explore the two ships' similarities while learning about the tragic events of November 10, 1975, including the sinking theories and stories of the 29 crew members who tragically lost their lives.
“The Edmund Fitzgerald’s sinking remains one of the most significant and lasting stories in Great Lakes history,” said Ellen Kennedy, the museum’s Director of Operations. “These tours offer a chance to reflect on its legacy and the enduring impact on maritime culture.”
Tours are held every 30 minutes on Saturday (from 10 am - 3:30 pm) and Sunday (from 12 pm - 3:30 pm). Tickets for the 75-minute tour are $20 for members and $25 for non-members, which includes admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes. Each tour will be limited to 8 people. Guests will also receive a museum store discount of 10% (non-members) / 20% (members) off in-store purchases. Advance registration is strongly encouraged as these tours are known to sell out each year. To register for the tour, visit nmgl.org/events or call 419-214-5000.
Please note, due to its historical accuracy, the Schoonmaker is not handicap or wheelchair accessible. Narrow, steep staircases are common throughout the Schoonmaker and may cause some accessibility difficulties. The Schoonmaker is not heated and much of the tour is on uncovered decks. Guests are encouraged to dress appropriately for the weather. If it is determined that the tours are impossible due to the weather, a refund of the ticket price (minus fees) will be provided. No makeup date is planned. You can process a refund (minus fees) and cancel your ticket up to 7 days before the event.
About the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald: When it was launched on June 7, 1958, the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald was the largest ship on the Great Lakes and is still the largest to have ever sunk there. Intending to travel from Superior, Wisconsin to Detroit, Michigan, the ship was caught in a severe storm on Lake Superior with hurricane-like winds and 35-foot waves. Lost radar and the storm’s magnitude created a deadly combination, sinking the Edmund Fitzgerald in Canadian waters on November 10, 1975. The disaster remains one of the worst and most widely known in the history of the Great Lakes. The event was recorded in popular culture by Canadian singer Gordon Lightfoot in his 1976 hit song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”
WHAT: The Fitzgerald Experience
WHEN: Saturday, November 9, 2024 – Sunday, November 10, 2024
WHERE: National Museum of the Great Lakes
1701 Front St., Toledo, OH 43605
ADMISSION: $20 Museum Members / $25 Non-Members
MEDIA CONTACT: Ashley Streichert Lovejoy, 419-460-8181