The Maritime Speaker Series returns to the Door County Maritime Museum for the 2018-2019 season. This year boasts an impressive lineup of speakers to educate and entertain maritime enthusiasts. The monthly series kicks off on Thursday, November 1st at 7pm with Todd Gordon speaking about the SS Eastland disaste
On July 24, 1915, thousands of employees from Western Electric and their family members boarded the SS Eastland for transportation to Michigan City, Indiana for a company picnic. What was supposed to be a day of fun turned into a nightmare when the ship carrying 2,572 passengers rolled onto its side while tied to the dock in the river. 844 lives were lost, including 22 entire families. Gordon’s presentation will recount the events from this tragedy, as well as the interesting links to mashed potatoes, George Halas, Jack Woodford, Carl Sandburg, Clarence Darrow, Oprah Winfrey, and much more.
Todd Gordon, a lifelong history enthusiast — in particular Great Lakes history — has done extensive research on the SS Eastland tragedy, which was the largest loss of life from a single shipwreck in Great Lakes’ history. Attendees will hear the history, legend, and lore associated with this disaster that claimed more lives than the sinking of the Titanic. His extensive collection of memorabilia and photos will be shared at his presentation.
The Door County Maritime Museum holds the Maritime Speaker Series on the first Thursday of each month from November to April at 7 pm. Admission is free and the Maritime Speaker Series is held in the Reddin Bridge Room at the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay.
Be sure to check out the upcoming speakers in the series:
December 6, 2018: Frederick Stonehouse , “US Life-Saving Service on the Great Lakes”
January 3, 2019: Dr. Patrick Forsyth, “Great Lakes Fish”
February 7, 2019: Jake Heffernan, “Lighthouses of Door County”
March 7, 2019: Tom Wenstadt, “Title XI Vessels Built in Door County”
The Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society, Inc. preserves Great Lakes maritime history, primarily focusing on Door County, Wisconsin, and provides interpretive and educational opportunities for current and future generations. The Museum is comprised of three locations; Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay, Cana Island Lighthouse in Baileys Harbor and Death’s Door Maritime Museum in Gills Rock. For more information, please visit www.DCMM.org or call (920) 743-5958.
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