Grand Opening: Maritime Heritage Center

The Michigan Maritime Museum is pleased to announce the Grand Opening
of the new Maritime Heritage Center on their campus in South Haven, marked by a celebration
on September 30, 2022. Barely a year after the demolition of the previous museum building, the
new facility is now completely finished and the public is welcome to explore and celebrate this
exciting milestone!
To celebrate, admission to the Museum’s campus will be free all day September 30 with
ice cream and beverages served on the patio as supplies last. The public will be able to explore
the whole campus, including the new Maritime Heritage Center which boasts 17,000 sq. feet of
exhibit, event and programming space. The centerpiece of the new facility is the inaugural
exhibit, Full Steam Ahead: The Golden Age of Great Lakes Passenger Steamships, where
guests can explore the history and stories of the luxury passenger steamers that traveled the
Great Lakes in the early twentieth century. The exhibit’s designer will be on hand in the morning
to answer questions and guide guests through this immersive experience. Outside, enjoy
beautiful views of the Black River while walking along the new deck and boardwalk towards the
many other exhibits on the Museum’s campus, including the recently opened McClendon Small
Craft Barn. “Our physical transformation goes way beyond one beautiful new building,” said
Executive Director Patti Montgomery Reinert. “We are truly debuting a brand new campus that
will allow us to tell complete and complex stories about our state’s maritime heritage in exciting
and interactive ways.”
The date of this grand opening - September 30 - is a significant one in the history of this
ambitious project. Two years ago to the day, the Museum closed on its purchase of the historic
Jensen Fishery property which laid a firm foundation for the Launching a Legacy capital
campaign. After raising nearly $8 million, Phase One of this project is now complete, expanding
the campus to include new exhibit space, increased riverfront access, and ample event venues
for educational programming and community events alike. Noted Reinert, “the level of support
our community and our donors have shown us is truly inspiring.”
Join the Michigan Maritime Museum to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Maritime
Heritage Center on September 30, 2022! Admission will be free all day, with ice cream and
beverages available as supplies last.