Sturgeon Bay, Wis. (December 17, 2024) – The next presentation of the 2024-2025 Door County Medical Center Maritime Speaker Series will be held both in person and online on Thursday, January 9 at 7pm, featuringThe Lakeland Lawsuits by DCMM Collections Coordinator Brennan Christianson. (Note: not the first Thursday of January 2025.)
On December 3rd, 1924, the Lakeland left the Sturgeon Bay canal headed towards Michigan. The 37 year old vessel was hauling a cargo of cars when, suddenly, it started to list to port. The captain let the Lakeland sink despite offers to tow it to port. The insurance companies backing the Lakeland refused to pay for what seemed like an obvious case of fraud. The defense claimed that crew safety was prioritized over salvaging the vessel. Learn more about this fascinating case of maritime law and decide for yourself- was it fraud?
Brennan Christianson is the Collections Coordinator of the Door County Maritime Museum. He has previously published articles on the Linda E, Death’s Door, and the Berylune. He has also given presentations of Door County shipwrecks and Wisconsin lighthouses. Brennan has a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay, and a master’s degree in public history with a certificate in museum studies from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. Brennan has a passion for researching our community’s past and sharing it with the public.
Each Fall, Winter and Spring, the Door County Maritime Museum hosts experts and interesting characters from around the country for the Maritime Speaker Series (presented in partnership with series sponsor the Door County Medical Center). The Maritime Speaker Series offers an assortment of monthly programs – from historical topics to current issues affecting the Great Lakes and the economy that relies on them.
The Door County Medical Center Maritime Speaker Series programs are held the first Thursday of each month, October through May, beginning at 7pm, on the second floor of the Museum in Sturgeon Bay, as well as online. There is no cost to attend; we suggest bringing a donation of a non-perishable food item, or if watching online, we ask you to donate to your local food pantry.
More information, and a link to register for online presentations, is available at https://dcmm.org/seaperch/maritime-speaker-series/.
Remaining 2024-2025 Speaker Series Lineup
- February 6: The History of the Stone Industry of Door County, presented by Don Mikulic;
- March 6: The Anderson Dock, presented by Jeff O’Keefe;
- April 3: A Bridge Eye View: Stories from 40 Years of Tending Sturgeon Bay’s Bridges by Sonja Polster with special guest Rose Pipkorn
Additional in-kind support for the Door County Medical Center Maritime Speaker Series is provided by Bridgeport Resort.
For questions about the Maritime Speaker Series, please email Andrea Stromeyer, Educational Programs Coordinator, at astromeyer@dcmm.org.
Door County Maritime Museum: Where Great Lakes History Comes Alive!
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 operates three locations, including the Door County Maritime Museum along the working waterfront in Sturgeon Bay; the iconic Cana Island Lighthouse in Baileys Harbor; and the Death’s Door Maritime Museum in Gills Rock. As one of northeast Wisconsin’s top tourism destinations, averaging 95,000 visitors annually, the Door County Maritime Museum serves as a cultural and educational resource for all 72 counties in Wisconsin. For more information, please visit www.DCMM.org or call (920) 743-5958.
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