THE SOCIETY AT A GLANCE

The Admiral Society is meant to engage a higher level of interaction between the museum and leadership-level supporters. The Admiral Society invites individuals to join the National Museum of the Great Lakes as members at an annual support level of $5,000 (Admiral), $2,500 (Vice Admiral), or $6,000 (Corporate).

The Admiral Society members play an active role in shaping portions of the museum’s curation and programming. Part of each member’s annual contribution funds “future-building” maritime history projects (artifact acquisition, exhibition creation, educational outreach opportunities, etc.) as determined by The Admiral Society members.

To achieve our mission, The Admiral Society’s annual activities during our initial years are divided into 2 seasons: 1.) Recruitment & Education (July – to December) and 2.) Selection & Experience (January – June). Membership renewal for all members of The Admiral Society takes place during the Recruitment & Education season.

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Membership for our fourth year of The Admiral Society is now open. If you are interested in membership and would like more information, please reach out to Sara Smith at 419-214-5000 ext. 207 or sara.smith@nmgl.org.

BECOME A MEMBER

The Admiral Society invites individuals to join the National Museum of the Great Lakes at an annual support level of $5,000 (Admiral), $2,500 (Vice Admiral), or $6,000 (Corporate). Membership provides exclusive benefits and funds “future-building” projects and acquisitions. Selection events provide a deeper dive into Great Lakes history while serving as a foundation for the annual project selection vote.

ADMIRAL LEVEL: $5,000

  • Invitation to The Admiral Society Members Only events*
  • Voting privileges to select annual “future-building” maritime history projects (2 votes per membership)
  • Advanced access to Museum acquisitions
  • Private previews and after-hours access
  • Exclusive opportunities to meet and connect with Museum leadership and curatorial staff
  • All Inland Seas Society Patron member benefits (See a complete list at: nmgl.org/membership)

ADMIRAL LEVEL (Corporate): $6,000

  • Includes one (1) member to be recognized at the Admiral Level alongside the corporate sponsor’s business name.
  • Invitation to The Admiral Society Members Only events plus the option of inviting up to 3 additional guests (Primary member + 3 guests).
  • Corporate-level memberships have the option of adding additional members at the Vice Admiral level at an additional membership fee of $1,500.
  • Plus, all Admiral Level benefits listed above.

VICE ADMIRAL LEVEL: $2,500

  • Invitation to The Admiral Society Members Only events*
  • Voting privileges to select annual “future-building” maritime history projects (1 vote per membership)
  • Advanced access to the Museum acquisitions
  • Exclusive opportunities to meet and connect with Museum leadership and curatorial staff
  • All Inland Seas Society Patron member benefits (See a complete list at: nmgl.org/membership)

* All Admiral Society event invitations include The Admiral Society member + Guest. 

Get more information about membership in this exclusive society by downloading our Membership Brochure and/or sending an email to Sara Smith at sara.smith@nmgl.org. To join now, use the button below (credit card transactions only) or download and return our Membership Form via email or mail.

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PLEASE NOTE: For tax purposes, approximately $500 of The Admiral Society Membership is allocated to goods and services provided through your membership.

OUR MISSION

To guide and shape the past, present, and future of the National Museum of the Great Lakes by focusing on three core aspects: experience, education, and achievement.

Gather with like-minded individuals for opportunities to experience and connect with Great Lakes history while shaping the Museum’s future for generations to come.

Take a deeper dive into your understanding of maritime history, while also bringing more Great Lakes history education to the community and the world.

Leave a Great Lakes history legacy through the establishment of once-in-a-lifetime, future-building projects.

Thank you to our members!

Admiral

Mike & Carol Anderson
Larry & Karen Bettcher
Jean Buckley
John & Barbara Burson
Elaine Canning & Dan Kory
Bill & Cathy Carroll
Fred & Carri Dannhauser
Bill & Pam Davis
Timothy & Sally Goligoski
John & Jodee Hunger
Tom & Deb Isley
Dennis & Sheila Johnson
Kathy Jones
Paula Kirby
Jeff & Inge Klopping
Les Lipski & Karen Lucas
Ken & Jean Lovejoy
Vincent & Joanne Maltese
Donald McCord & Merrie Williams
Mary Merrick
Carol Morley Beck
Dennis & Kathy Novak
Thomas & Susan Palmer
Cindy Rerucha
Ann Sanford
Paul & Kathryn Smoke
John & Yolanda Szuch
J.R. & Beth Toland

Vice Admiral

Jamie Adams
Holly & Mark Bristoll
James DeVilbiss
Doug & Kim Kearns
Patrick Kennedy
John & Kathy McCarty
Thomas & Carol Pletz
Bob & Sue Savage
Bob & Nancy Sellers
Todd & Molly Sommer
Steve & Penny Staelin

Corporate

Buckeye Broadband | Geoff Shook
Interlake Steamship | Mark Barker
Kiemle-Hankins | Tim Martindale
Port of Monroe | Paul LaMarre
SSOE | Vince DiPofi
The Oliver House | Patricia Appold, Gary Murphy
Trust Company Family Offices | Ann McCauley & Jennifer Harder

Looking Back at Incredible Experiences with The Admiral Society

Admiral Society Selects 2025 Future-Building Project: Schoonmaker Illumination

The National Museum of the Great Lakes is proud to announce that The Admiral Society, the museum’s highest level of membership, has selected the Schoonmaker Illumination Project as its 2025

The Admiral Society Selection Results 2024

The National Museum of the Great Lakes’ Admiral Society’s Funds Enhance Museum Tug Ohio Access & Expand Artifact Collection

The National Museum of the Great Lakes proudly announces the allocation of funds by its esteemed Admiral Society towards transformative projects aimed at enriching the visitor experience. The Admiral Society

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