Maritime Speaker Program at DCMM

The Door County Maritime Museum has announced its 2011-2012 Maritime Speaker Series program, which will begin Nov. 29.

The museum’s gift shop will be open during the initial program on Nov. 29, providing a book signing opportunity with the evening’s featured speaker, Richard Purinton.

Purinton, who serves as the CEO for the family-run Washington Island Ferry Line, will present a program about life on Washington Island during the winter months. An award-winning author, Purinton’s Over and Back – A History of Transportation to Washington Island, released in 1991, earned an Award of Merit from the Wisconsin Historical Society. His recent publications include Words on Water – A Ferryman’s Journal in 2009 and Bridges Are Still News – Island Essays, Poems and Photos in 2010.

Programs will follow the first three Thursdays in January, February and March.

Jan. 5, Ken Westcar will explain the work that went into the repowering of the 1,000-foot ore carrier Edwin H. Gott at Bay Shipbuilding in Sturgeon Bay.

Bay Shipbuilding retains center stage on Feb. 2, when company personnel will be on hand to update the public on the activities going on at the yard.

In recognition of the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, Door County Maritime Museum Executive Director Bob Desh will present a program on the war’s impact on the Great Lakes on March 2.

The series will conclude on March 29, with a program on the museum’s popular boat building program.

All of the programs begin at 7 pm at the Sturgeon Bay museum. They are free of charge and open to the public with donations appreciated.

For more information call 920.743.5958 or visit http://www.dcmm.org.