Building Momentum: National Museum of the Great Lakes’ Second Wave Expansion Takes Shape

 The National Museum of the Great Lakes is thrilled to share that we’re making impressive progress on our Second Wave expansion. The steel frame for the 5,000-square-foot addition is nearing completion, signaling significant progress toward the next phase of construction.

Key features of the project include new permanent exhibit space, a dedicated area for temporary and traveling exhibits, and a community education center. Anchoring the expansion is the historic pilothouse of the St. Mary’s Challenger, offering visitors an accessible, year-round opportunity to connect with maritime history.

As part of the construction process, the former community room and office spaces have been demolished to make way for modernized staff offices, improving functionality for museum operations. While demolition is ongoing, much of the museum staff continues to work remotely. However, select team members, including the leadership team, remain accessible by appointment on-site.

The Second Wave Fundraising Campaign has already raised an impressive $5.2 million, but we still need the community’s support to reach our $6 million goal. This goal will cover crucial HVAC updates and other essential features. Our ideal target of $6.5 million would provide a contingency to manage any unforeseen costs, ensuring the project is completed without delay.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity we’ve seen from supporters so far,” said Kate Fineske, Executive Director of the National Museum of the Great Lakes. “The Second Wave expansion will provide us with the space and resources to offer even more to our visitors, including interactive exhibits, new educational opportunities, and a gathering space for Great Lakes conversations.”

Donations of all sizes are critical to our success, and donors contributing $1,000 or more will receive special recognition as part of the museum’s legacy of growth. Donors can contribute online at nmgl.org/thesecondwave. For more information about donor recognition opportunities, contact Sara Smith at sara.smith@nmgl.org.