Building Momentum with Our Second Wave Expansion
Published: September 17, 2024
Exciting progress is happening at the National Museum of the Great Lakes as our Second Wave expansion takes shape! In our latest update, we shared that the steel frame for our 5,000-square-foot addition was beginning. Today, it’s almost complete! It’s a remarkable moment to see the building’s structure start to come to life and envision the future of this expansion.
Enjoy the latest photos of the expansion progress in this post.
View of the expansion construction from the SCHOONMAKER.
Steel beams are constructed for the expansion.
Workers on a lift installing the steel beams.
Lathrop construction team does a site walk through during the expansion process.
Steel structure is almost complete for the foundation of the 5,000 square foot addition.
Demolition of the existing community room and former office space is still underway, making way for new team office spaces. While this part of the process continues, we are gearing up to begin construction soon on these essential areas. Our staff remains remote during this phase, though some of our team members are regularly on-site, working from a trailer space. If you need to connect with our leadership team, please coordinate directly with them for availability.
Demolition of the community room space, which will house our new team offices.
How You Can Get Involved
As we move closer to completion, we’re still raising funds. The Second Wave Fundraising Campaign has reached an impressive $5.2M, but we need your help to push it to $6M to include crucial HVAC updates. Ideally, our goal is to raise $6.5M to cover any unexpected expenses that may arise. Steel beams are already going up, making the expansion feel more tangible with each passing day.
You can play a vital role in this transformative project by donating today. By contributing to the Second Wave, you’ll help ensure that the museum continues to grow as a place of learning, exploration, and community engagement. Donations of all sizes make a difference, and if you give $1,000 or more, you’ll be eligible for exclusive donor recognition. For more information on these opportunities, please contact Sara Smith at sara.smith@nmgl.org.
Looking Ahead
The expansion is more than just a physical addition to our museum—it’s part of our vision to solidify the National Museum of the Great Lakes as a hub for Great Lakes conversations, history, and discovery. We deeply appreciate your continued support and patience as we navigate these exciting changes. Together, we’re building something truly special.
Stay tuned for more updates as we move forward, and thank you for being a part of this incredible journey!
