• Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Youtube
  • GREAT LAKES HISTORICAL SOCIETY
  • INLAND SEAS®
  • DONATE
National Museum of the Great Lakes
  • Home
  • Museum
    • Museum Virtual Tour
    • Admission Fees
    • Hours & Parking
    • Group Visits & Accessibility
    • Field Trips & Outreach
    • All Aboard for History!
    • Museum Ships
      • Col. James M. Schoonmaker
      • Schoonmaker Virtual Tour
      • Tug Ohio
  • Virtual Content
    • Waving Through Time
    • NMGL Videos
    • Port of Toledo
    • Capt. Scupper’s Kids Club
    • Inland Seas Online
    • Museum Interactive Tour
    • Schoonmaker Virtual Tour
    • Walking Tour
  • News
    • Press Releases
  • Membership
  • Events
    • Speakers’ Bureau
  • Museum Store
  • Contact Us
    • Volunteer
    • Artifact Donation Form
    • Donation Request
    • Employment Opportunities
  • Menu Menu

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.

Preserving Great Lakes History

  • Home
  • Become a Member
  • Virtual Tour
  • Research
  • Speakers’ Bureau
  • Artifact Donation Form

News

  • 2023 Waving Through Time BannerNew Exhibit Taps into Museum’s Vast Nautical Flag CollectionFebruary 16, 2023 - 10:50 am

    Thursday, February 16, 2023 (Toledo, Ohio) – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) is proud to introduce a brand new online and micro exhibit—Waving Through Time: Flags of

  • WTT – AlgomaFebruary 15, 2023 - 6:30 am
    Algoma Central Corporation A well known logo that can be spotted on the lakes today is the black bear used by Algoma Central Corporation. The Corporation was founded as Algoma
  • Spring Lecture Topics BannerMuseum Releases Spring Lecture Line-upFebruary 9, 2023 - 10:45 am

    February 9, 2023 (Toledo, Ohio) – On Wednesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. the National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) begins their annual spring lecture series by exploring the

More Links

  • Contact Us
  • Volunteer
  • Kid Zone

VISIT US

National Museum of the Great Lakes
1701 Front Street
Toledo, Ohio 43605
United States of America
Phone: (419) 214-5000
Url: www.nmgl.org

HOURS

Monday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sunday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Closed on Tuesdays: November 1 - April 30

Museum is Closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve
SS Col James M. Schoonmaker and Tug Ohio
open May – October
newsletter

EXPLORE THE MUSEUM

The National Museum of the Great Lakes reveals the varied and fascinating history of our treasured Great Lakes, which make up 84% of all of the fresh water in North America. Come explore the history of the world's greatest natural resource—from canoes and schooners to early steamers and freighters—some of which ply the mighty Maumee River right next to the Museum.
© Copyright - National Museum of the Great Lakes - powered by Enfold WordPress Theme
Scroll to top