Maritime museum may open June 1 in Rogers City
It?s going to be an exciting weekend for officials from Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum as many artifacts will be moved from Sebewaing to the museum?s new home in Rogers City. With that, Lore director Ed Brklacich is looking for a few strong backs from the community to help unload items, some of them large, Saturday at noon.
Moving day has been made possible by the tireless work of 11 volunteers, including trustees of the museum board, who have worked throughout the winter to complete phase one. Now, Brklacich is looking at opening the doors to Rogers City?s newest attraction on June 1. ?Everything is ready to go,? said Brklacich Monday, of this weekend?s move.
THE GREAT LAKES Maritime Museum is located in the former Johnson Building on Third Street, next to the Lighthouse Restaurant. Its aim is to preserve the history and heritage of the Great Lakes shipping industry. After months of waiting, one of the major hurdles of the first phase was cleared February 15, as one of the gas furnaces was turned on. Until that point a small heater was being used and a lot of the major work, such as painting, couldn?t get started.
The plumbing is working properly and much of the track lighting for the display area in the main room and the gift shop was installed over the last couple of
TRUSTEE DAVE MCDONALD has been working on what might become the museum?s signature in Rogers City. The retired General Motors worker has designed a lobby/entryway in the shape of a Great Lakes freighter wheelhouse. Visitors entering the museum from Third Street will walk through the wheelhouse, which is expected to have a steering wheel and other items to make it look as authentic as possible.
It?s also going to be a place for many people to take commemorative photos of their visit to the museum.