Museum Embraces Virtual Education to Lift Up Great Lakes Enthusiasts

March 30, 2020 (Toledo, Ohio) – Over the last several weeks, with stay-at-home orders in effect, the way individuals and organizations do business has dramatically changed. Online connection tools have become increasingly important. In response, the National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) has substantially increased its virtual education initiatives to better support its members and Great Lakes history enthusiasts including a continuously updated online exhibit, two new video series, blog posts, and virtual museum tours.

Last week alone, the museum launched two new virtual initiatives featuring its home city of Toledo—the Toledo Trail video series and the Port of Toledo: Then & Now Online Exhibit showcasing an interactive map with historic port stories and images. Additionally, NMGL released Inland Seas Online (featuring Great Lakes stories from back issues of their award-winning Inland Seas Journal) and Museum Moments (a second video series highlighting museum artifacts).

“The impact of COVID-19 on cultural entities and the steps we must take in the face of a global pandemic such as this is unprecedented,” says Chris Gillcrist, the museum’s Executive Director for over 20 years now. “We are so fortunate to have a strong team of individuals working tirelessly to ensure we continue spreading our mission in new ways to support those looking for history-based, home-learning opportunities.”  

All content is free and mission-focused to preserve and make known the history of the Great Lakes. In the weeks to come, the museum plans to add additional material with an emphasis on expanding youth learning initiatives including interactive “spin tours”, STEAM curriculum guides for at-home schooling, and new ways to engage with our original children’s book.