Maritime Speaker Series Begins with the ‘Niagara’ Wreck

Niagara shipwreck. Photos courtesy of Wisconsin Historical Society.

The Door County Maritime Museum’s popular Maritime Speaker Series returns with four monthly programs beginning Dec. 8 and continuing until March 2, 2017. All programs begin at 7 pm.

This year’s series begins with a program presented by former Door County Maritime Museum Executive Director Bob Desh that will not only serve to conclude the shipwreck artifact exhibit, but emphasize the significant collection of shipwreck titles for sale in the museum’s gift shop. The store’s book collection offers an excellent selection of possible Christmas gift ideas for the maritime enthusiast on your list.

Desh will kick things off with a program titled, “A Doll, a Wrench, and a Thimble – Remembering the loss of the ‘Palace Steamer’ Niagara.” He will touch on some of the poignant reminders from Niagara’s wreck that will continue to be on display through the Dec. 8 presentation. He will detail that tragic event that took place in September of 1856 when the Niagara burned during a voyage from Sheboygan to Port Washington and a total of 150 souls were lost. Desh will also discuss the significant role this class of passenger vessel played in the European immigration westward, including Door County.

Programs will continue the first Thursday of the month from January to March. All of these programs are free with a non-perishable food donation. For more information visit dcmm.org or call 920.743.5958.