Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum

Member Spotlight
Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum
T
he idea for the Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum (GLLMM) had its humble beginnings in the
Sebewaing home of Ed and Betty Brklacich, two retired teachers with a love for the sea. Ed and
Betty had noticed that while nautical artifacts were on display at several museums around the
Great Lakes, there were no museums honoring the people who had used those items. So, with the intention of honoring those who made a living on the Great Lakes, the duo met with several commercial sailors, who told of their own stories and experiences from sailing the Great Lakes. Later they added Coast
Guard officers and seamen, lighthouse keepers, Life Saving Station personnel, fishermen and others to their
list of honorees. GLLMM opened its doors in Sebewaing in 1990. In 2003, to attract more visitors, the
museum moved to Rogers City, known for its maritime ties and port that brings in sailors from all over.
Today, the GLLMM houses hundreds of nautical artifacts and photos depicting vessels from both the past and present. At the
museum’s entrance, visitors are welcomed into a replica pilothouse, which features the steering wheel system from the steamer
John G. Munson among other interesting artifacts. While visitors are welcome to wander the museum on their own, volunteers,
many whom are former sailors, offer guided tours through the building’s four main sections:
• The main floor, which features collages that cover the walls. Each collage has a picture of an honoree, their biography, license
(if applicable), and a picture of their favorite vessel or whatever best represents their career.
• The library, which is home to hundreds of books, manuals, and assorted maritime reading materials—many old and rare.
• Memorial Hall, which is dedicated to honoring those who lost their lives in the sinkings of the steamers Carl D. Bradley,
Edmund Fitzgerald, Cedarville, and Daniel J. Morrell. As more than 35 men from Rogers City have lost their lives in those
maritime disasters, there is a particular local interest in the hall.
• The gift shop, which features maritime-related products, art, and books.
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The museum also hosts several bell-ringing events, which are solemn ceremonies honoring sailors lost at sea. One particularly
touching ceremony is the annual ringing of the actual bell from the Carl D. Bradley. The bell rings once for each of the 33 sailors
who lost their lives in the November 1958 sinking. Of those men, 23 were from Rogers City.
The GLLMM hosts its main annual event, “The Gathering,” on the third weekend of August. The weekend includes a Friday
afternoon tour of the Calcite Quarry (the largest limestone quarry in the world) and an evening presentation by an expert in
Great Lakes nautical history. Saturday features a luncheon and the induction of candidates into the Great Lakes Lore Maritime
Museum’s Hall of Fame. It is an uplifting event where approximately 15 people are honored each year. The name of the inductee
is read and a bell is tolled to honor that individual. Afterward, collages representing each honoree are displayed in the museum.
Rogers City also hosts several events during the year that help justify its nickname of “The Nautical City.” One such event is
the annual “Nautical Festival,” during which a parade caps off an entire weekend of family-fun events. Each year, the GLLMM
enters in the parade its 1918 Ripley Lifeboat, which was later converted to the steam launch Jim Bob.
Financial support for the non-profit organization comes from membership dues, door receipts, grants, and donations. To learn
more about the GLLMM, visit www.gllmm.com or call (989) 734-0706.
1) The Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum is located at 367
North 3rd Street, Rogers City. 2) The south wall and hallway of
museum are displayed with nautical artifacts. 3) An inside view
of the entry Pilot House. 4) An up-close view of the 1918 Ripley
Lifeboat, which was converted to a steam launch. 5) Receiving
a certificate at the Induction Ceremony, August 18, 2012.
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