Maritime memories

June 13, 2007

Maritime Memories
“Mysteries of the Lake” exhibit offered at GT Heritage Center



By Mary Bevans Gillett

Plunder the depths of Lake Michigan’s maritime history with the new exhibition, “Mysteries of the Lake: Lake Michigan Legends and Lore,” running through November at the Grand Traverse Heritage Center.
Mysteries of the Lake will delve into some of the more fascinating examples of Lake Michigan maritime lore and how they are connected to the larger story of maritime history on the Great Lakes. Some stories will be well-known, while many showcase tales that have rarely been told.
The exhibition uses a historical narrative, starting with Native American legends and continuing through the post-contact history of the Lake, including European explorers, voyageurs, early sailing vessels, commercial shipping and fishing and recreation boating.
What treasures or at least mysteries, lie under the surface or buried along the shore? Who were the people who took part in these famous events, passed on the legends or were never heard from again? What ghosts of our maritime past still haunt us, figuratively and literally? Most importantly, what do these stories tell us about ourselves, our way-of-life and the character of the Great Lakes region.
To illustrate the answers, the Museum will use photographic resources, audio/visual, interactive activities (including knot tying, using a sextant and sail raising) and text panels written by Maritime historians. A slate of educational and entertaining events will complement the exhibit throughout the summer and fall.
The Grand Traverse Heritage Center is located at the riverside park on Sixth Street in Traverse City. The Center is open 12-4 pm Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 am-4 pm on Saturdays. For more information, call (231) 995-0313 or visit www.gtheritagecenter.org.