Wakefield Museum Opening, 1953 — Fall 1994
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The Great Lakes… 84% of the continent’s fresh water… a different story in every drop.
Author: Donna Root
The fine weather brought out a large crowd that gathered at the handsome, solidly built mansion on the crest of a knoll overlooking Lake Erie, to observe the dedication ceremonies. Over 300 people were present, many of them members of the Great Lakes Historical Society from Cleveland, Toledo, Vermilion, Sandusky and other Lake ports. The Navy men then went through the formal ceremony with bugle and salute and the flag fluttered gaily to the top of a tall pole on the lawn where Commodore Wakefield had for years past kept it flying when the present museum was the family home.
At the signal of a small cannon fired on shore, a yacht which had been slowly cruising back and forth dropped a memorial wreath on the waters of Lake Erie in memory of Commodore Wakefield and of the many people who have given their lives in Lake service.
When the meeting adjourned, the people swarmed into the museum, greeting and thanking the speakers, admiring the beautiful flower arrangements of the Vermilion Garden Club, and the special display of marine paintings and prints arranged by Mr.Bernard Vixseboxse, GLHS member and owner of the Vixseboxse Art Galleries, Inc., Cleveland. The museum displays created the greatest interest and enthusiasm and on all sides one might hear favorable comments and the swapping of Lakes yarns inspired by the marine displays.
Although the entrance fee is 25 cents (children free if with parents) all GLHS members need only show their membership cards for admittance. For the winter season the museum will be closed on Mondays; open 1:00-5:30 P.M. all other days. However, as Mr. Metcalfis is in residence he offers a warm welcome to all GLHS members at any time. His address, as is that of the museum, is 142 North Main Street, Vermilion, Ohio.
[Editors’ Note: A general renumbering in Vermilion later changed the museum’s address to 480 North Main.]
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