In honor of the 45th Anniversary of the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975 we are offering a weekend of special tours. The Fitzgerald Experience is a guided tour of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, using our lake freighter and its similarities to the Edmund Fitzgerald to discuss the events of November 10, 1975, theories about the sinking, and stories about the 29 crew members who were lost. This tour is approximately 75 minutes long.

Each tour is $150 and is available for up to 4 people.* Small tours allow for us to maintain social distancing throughout the museum ship. Masks will be required during the entire tour. 

Your ticket purchase includes admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes. Additionally, each group will receive a copy of our documentary A Good Ship and Crew Well Seasoned: The Fitzgerald and Her Legacy. This hour-long documentary explores the less documented and overlooked history of the Fitzgerald and her crew before their tragic loss—through unpublished manuscript material and photographs—while at the same time reflecting on the impact of their loss on family, friends, and colleagues in the maritime community. The film takes a refreshing break from debating the possible cause of her loss in order to direct more time to those important historical questions not yet asked.

Due to its historical accuracy, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship is not handicap or wheelchair accessible. Narrow, steep staircases are common throughout the Schoonmaker and may provide difficulties in accessibility for some.

The Schoonmaker is also not heated and much of the tour is on uncovered decks. We encourage you to dress appropriately for the weather. If we determine that the weather has made these tours impossible, we will provide a refund of the ticket price (minus fees). If the program is canceled we are not planning a make-up date.

You can process a refund (minus fees) and cancel your ticket up to 7 days before the event.