National Museum of the Great Lakes Unveils Frozen in Time: A Wooden and Antique Boat Showcase
December 3, 2025 (Toledo, Ohio) – The National Museum of the Great Lakes invites visitors to step out of the cold and into a celebration of boating history with the debut of Frozen in Time: A Wooden and Antique Boat Showcase. Running December 5 through February 15 inside the Museum’s Temporary Exhibit Gallery, this new winter feature offers visitors a chance to experience the craftsmanship, beauty, and culture of wooden and antique vessels—all set against the backdrop of the Maumee River.
“Wooden boats are timeless works of art,” said Chris Gillcrist, Director Emeritus and curator of the showcase. “They reflect the creativity of their builders, the spirit of adventure of their owners, and the enduring connection people have with the Great Lakes. This exhibition is an opportunity to step back in time while celebrating craftsmanship that continues to inspire today.”
Frozen in Time brings together a curated selection of historic and newly hand-built watercraft. From an Indigenous canoe design to classic wooden cruisers, each vessel tells a unique story—revealing how design, leisure, and regional identity converged on the water.
Frozen in Time: A Wooden and Antique Boat Showcase is included with museum admission and free for National Museum of the Great Lakes members. For more information, visit nmgl.org or call 419-214-5000.
About the National Museum of the Great Lakes: The National Museum of the Great Lakes preserves, shares, and celebrates the past, present, and future of the Great Lakes story. As an interactive, experiential museum, we offer visitors the chance to explore thousands of years of history and stories through nine dynamic exhibit galleries—including a rotating temporary exhibition space—and two historic museum vessels, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the Museum Tug Ohio, plus the pilothouse of the storied St. Marys Challenger.
Founded in 1944 as the Great Lakes Historical Society, we have a long-standing commitment to education, research, and storytelling. Our initiatives include the publication of Inland Seas®, a quarterly journal of Great Lakes history since 1945 and decades of maritime preservation and archaeological exploration. Today, we strive to be the gathering place for Great Lakes conversations—welcoming all to connect with the stories, people, and innovations that have shaped and continue to influence this vital region.
WHAT: Frozen in Time: A Wooden and Antique Boat Showcase
WHEN: December 5 - February 15, 2026 | Museum Hours
WHERE: National Museum of the Great Lakes
1701 Front St., Toledo, OH 43605
ADMISSION: $14.00 (Museum Only) – Adults (18-64)
$12.00 (Museum Only) – Seniors (65+)
$8.00 (Museum Only) – Youth (6-17)
FREE – Children 5 and under, GLHS/NMGL Members
MEDIA CONTACT: Ashley Streichert Lovejoy, 419-460-8181
###