Museum’s New Self-guided Walking Tour Explores The Maritime History of Toledo’s Port
Thursday, July 14, 2022 (Toledo, Ohio) – The National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) is releasing a new, stand-alone product for individuals to explore the story behind the museum’s hometown maritime history. Using VoiceMap, a self-guided tour app, individuals can travel back in time with author, storyteller, and holytoledohistory.com curator Tedd Long on a 90-minute walk along the heart of downtown Toledo’s riverfront while sightseeing, boat watching and enjoying the winding path along the Maumee.
“There are so many fascinating maritime stories to explore in Toledo—from why Toledo’s Warehouse District was centered on Swan Creek, to how the canals helped to transform the Glass City, and how a change in wind direction saved downtown Toledo in 1894,” shares Mr. Long, who donated his time and talents to support the museum’s mission through this new product. “Stories like the crash of the Yuma into the Cherry Street Bridge and the building of the first 5-masted sailing vessel the David Dows help to highlight a whole new perspective on Toledo, the Maumee River, and the largest landmass port on the Great Lakes.”
The walking tour begins across the river from the museum at Middlegrounds Metropark and follows a path to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Bridge and back. The Port of Toledo Walking Tour costs $5.99 and can be purchased at the Museum or online at nmglstore.org. Once purchased, the walking tour can be accessed at the owner’s convenience. Individuals can make a full day or multi-day activity of a museum visit and the Port of Toledo Walking Tour as well as take the tour as a stand-alone activity. Through the generous donation of Tedd Long, all proceeds from the tour purchase support the National Museum of the Great Lakes and its mission, to preserve and make known the history of the Great Lakes. For additional information visit nmgl.org or call 419-214-5000.
About the Product: This tour was created in partnership with NMGL by author, storyteller, and curator Tedd Long. Mr. Long has been studying Maumee Valley history for over 30 years and works to share local stories in many ways, including on his website holytoledohistory.com. The Port of Toledo Tour was created using VoiceMap—a location-aware mobile application that works by associating voice narration, music and sound effects to specific GPS coordinates. VoiceMap is available as both an Andorid and iOS app and downloadable from the Apple or Google Play stores.
