Museum Releases Spring Lecture Line-up

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 life of nineteenth century surveyor Admiral Henry Wolsey Bayfield.

“Considered a Master Chart Maker of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River, The Admiral’s navigational charts saved countless lives and literally mapped the way for settlement into our continent’s interior,” shares Carrie Sowden, the museum’s Archaeological and Research Director who also oversees the museum’s lecture series. “A naval officer, explorer, naturalist, and polymath, Bayfield, was one of the most extraordinary individuals of the nineteenth century and spent forty years of his life mapping Canada’s vast coasts and inland waterways.” 

The presenter, David Yates is an award-winning author and semi-retired teacher who resides in Goderich, Ontario. In addition, since 2007, his local history column has appeared regularly in Huron County (ON) papers and he has written several books on local Huron County History. Mr. Yates will be presenting virtually, but individuals who register for the lecture will have the option to watch him at the Museum during an in-person watch party and live-streamed question and answer session following the presentation. 

NMGL continues their Spring 2023 lecture series on March 29 in partnership with the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Libraries and Museums with “From Mouse to Dart—President Hayes Family History on the Great Lakes.” The final series presentation is scheduled for April 19 and explores individuals working to make the Great Lakes watershed cleaner by featuring scholar John Hartig, who authored the book “Great Lakes Champions: Grassroots Efforts to Clean Up Polluted Watersheds.” 

Over the past 2 years, since transitioning the lecture series to a hybrid-event format, the in-person lecture has regularly sold out and, at the same time, the museum has had up to 500 devices streaming the presentations live. Because of their popularity, registration for all lectures, although free, is required. Donations are encouraged and can be given upon registration. For more information or to register to join the events, visit nmgl.org/events.