Currents of Change: The Living History of the Great Lakes

Opening on Earth Day, April 22: Inside the National Museum of the Great Lakes’ temporary exhibit gallery, Currents of Change: The Living History of the Great Lakes, presented by the John and Virginia Hankison Foundation, invites visitors to explore the ever-evolving relationship between people and our freshwaters.

From beavers that shaped early Great Lakes economies to invasive species and harmful algae blooms that challenge us today, this immersive exhibit traces the powerful forces that have transformed our region. Through compelling stories of struggle, resilience, innovation, and renewal, visitors will experience pivotal turning points in Great Lakes history while discovering how science, conservation, and community action continue to influence the lakes’ future.

This exhibit is included with regular museum admission.

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Graphic with blue and green wave-like shapes. Overlayed text reads: Currents of Change The Living History of the Great Lakes. Temporary Exhibit April 22 - October 18.

Highlights from the Exhibit

Start your journey here. From powerful artifacts to striking photographs, each highlight offers a window into the Great Lakes’ living history. Step into the full exhibit to explore the complete story.

  • Use the arrows to explore the highlights.

    Large blue exhibit panel titled “Currents of Change: The Living History of the Great Lakes” stands in a museum gallery. The panel features a line illustration of a small boat along a marshy shoreline and includes a dedication and sponsor text. Additional exhibit panels and displays are visible in the background to the left.

  • Algal Bloom, Photograph 2011

    Heavy spring rains wash fertilizer into Lake Erie, triggering the largest HAB ever recorded—spanning nearly 2,000 square miles across the western basin.

  • Beaver Felt Hat, Artifact circa 1900s

    Animal fur, especially beaver pelts, became one of the first internationally traded commodities from North America to Europe, dramatically impacting the established ecosystems on the Great Lakes and beyond.

  • Britannia in the St. Lawrence Seaway, 1959

    After decades of planning and construction, the St. Lawrence Seaway opened in 1959, creating a direct route between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. For the first time, large ocean-going ships (also known as “salties”) could reach inland ports like Toledo, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Duluth, connecting Great Lakes industries to global markets.

  • Duck Stamp (1934) and Hunting License (1955)

    In the 20th century, the federal government joined these efforts with landmark legislation that transformed waterfowl conservation. The Duck Stamp Act of 1934 created a federal hunting stamp that generates dedicated funding for wetland acquisition and habitat preservation.

  • Muskegon Lake, Photograph 2025

    In 2025, Muskegon Lake, just off of Lake Michigan, was removed from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Areas of Concern (AOC) list. This is just one of many stories of positive change explored in the Current Events section of the exhibit.

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