Preserving Great Lakes History

Our Mission:
The mission of the Great Lakes Historical Society (GLHS) is to preserve and make known the history of the Great Lakes. We achieve our mission by:

• Operating the National Museum of the Great Lakes, the SS Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, the Museum Tug Ohio and a maritime park in Toledo, Ohio
• Publishing our award winning quarterly journal Inland Seas®
• Conducting nautical archaeology research through our Peachman Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Program
• Offering educational programs to children and adults alike.

Our Founding:
In 1944 a group of maritime enthusiast, concerned with the potential loss of Great Lakes history, met in Cleveland, Ohio to create the Great Lakes Historical Society. After months of planning and organizing, they published the first issue of the Inland Seas^® journal in January of 1945. We mark this date—the first publication of Inland Seas^®—as our Great Lakes Historical Society anniversary date and the year we officially launched.

Our Ongoing Legacy:
GLHS derives its funds from individual and corporate memberships, gifts, grants, site rentals, and the sale of educational items, videos and books of general interest and academic research.

The Society continues exploring and instituting new and creative ways to bring the fascinating story of the Great Lakes to people around the world. Society activities include educational tours, scholarly symposium, observances of historic events, enhancement and preservation of the Society’s collection of art and artifacts, sponsorship of research, the sale of publications and mementos of historical nature and assistance to researchers throughout the world.

Governed by an executive committee drawn from the active board of directors, the Society also receives advice and support from its past board members through our Emeritus Board.

The GLHS is a nonpartisan, private, nonprofit, tax-exempt, educational 501(c)3 organization.