National Museum of the Great Lakes Named Official Location on America 250-Ohio Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 (Toledo, Ohio)  – In the lead-up to America’s 250th anniversary, National Museum of the Great Lakes announced today it has partnered with the  America 250-Ohio Commission to be an official stop on its new Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail. This experiential driving trail of more than 150 sites across Ohio showcases the crucial role that water has played in moving people, goods, and ideas across the state. It is the third of six planned experiential trails for America 250-Ohio’s signature Trails & Tales program. The Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail sites are grouped into seven categories: Boat Rides & Ferryboats; Lake Erie Lighthouses; Lake Erie Museums & Historic Sites; Ohio Canal Museums, Locks, & Natural Areas; Ohio River Museums & Historic Sites; Natural Areas & Overlooks; Aquatic Science & Research Sites.

The National Museum of the Great Lakes showcases thousands of years of Great Lakes history, from Indigenous peoples and early exploration to the region’s role in shaping industry, leisure, and culture. Exhibits highlight all five Great Lakes, including Lake Erie’s rich stories—from shipwrecks and maritime trade to recreational boating and coastal communities—through immersive displays, artifacts, and interactive experiences, offering a comprehensive look at the lakes’ enduring impact on our lives.

“We’re honored to be a featured stop on the America 250–Ohio Commission’s new Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail,” said Kate Fineske, Executive Director of the National Museum of the Great Lakes. “Our exhibits share the stories of people and industry across all the Great Lakes, including Lake Erie, and being just a few miles from its shore makes us the perfect place to explore and connect with its rich history.”

“National Museum of the Great Lakes is a critical part of telling the story about how water literally and figuratively helped shape Ohio into the state we know today,” said Melinda Huntley, Executive Director of the Ohio Travel Association, America 250-Ohio Commissioner, and co-project leader for the Trails & Tales program. “We are proud to partner with the National Museum of the Great Lakes to share the story of Ohio’s waterways through America 250-Ohio’s Trails & Tales program and look forward to celebrating with them throughout 2025 and 2026.” 

For more information on the National Museum of the Great Lakes, visit nmgl.org. To learn more about the America 250-Ohio Trails & Tales Program, and the Lake Erie to Ohio River Trail, visit https://america250-ohio.org/lake-erie-to-ohio-river/.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Ashley Streichert Lovejoy

Marketing and Communications Manager, NMGL

419-214-5000 ext. 209

###

About National Museum of the Great Lakes

The National Museum of the Great Lakes preserves, shares, and celebrates the past, present, and future of the Great Lakes story. As an interactive, experiential museum, we offer visitors the chance to explore thousands of years of history and stories through three dynamic exhibit galleries—including a rotating temporary exhibition space—and two historic museum vessels, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the Museum Tug Ohio, plus the pilothouse of the storied St. Marys Challenger.

Founded in 1944 as the Great Lakes Historical Society, we have a long-standing commitment to education, research, and storytelling. Our initiatives include the publication of Inland Seas®, a quarterly journal of Great Lakes history since 1945 and decades of maritime preservation and archaeological exploration. Today, we strive to be the gathering place for Great Lakes conversations—welcoming all to connect with the stories, people, and innovations that have shaped and continue to influence this vital region.

About America 250-Ohio

In 2026, the United States will celebrate its semiquincentennial, which is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Each state has been encouraged to create a celebration and commemoration of this anniversary to reflect the unique character and contributions of each state to the nation over the past 250 years. Ohio is fully embracing this opportunity. The Ohio Commission for the Semiquincentennial (aka America 250-Ohio Commission or AM250-OH) was created by the Ohio legislature and launched on March 1, 2022. The charge of the AM250-OH Commission is to “…to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the two hundred fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the United States and the impact of Ohioans on the nation’s past, present, and future.” — Ohio Revised Code (149.309). More information can be found at America250-Ohio.org.