Lake Superior Maritime Museum, Duluth, MN

Duluth, Minnesota is rich with history dating back to the time when Native Americans were the only inhabitants of North America. With such history and culture, visitors may wish to learn a bit about a city they are staying in. One of the main attractions in Duluth is the Lake Superior Maritime Museum and Visitor Center. It is located near the Aerial Lift Bridge overlooking Duluth- Superior harbor. The facility is operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers with director James L. Banks at the head. It also means the facility is the property of the Federal Government.

Visitors are welcome to view the museum and visitor center without paying though donations are welcome. All donations go to the Lake Superior Maritime Museum Association in order to maintain the building, acquire new exhibits and staff the facility.

The Aerial Lift Bridge and Museum are in downtown Duluth where there is a lot of older historical buildings, popular restaurants, and the Lakewalk. The museum will take a few hours for visitors to explore, which means there is plenty more to do around it afterwards. Exhibits at the museum show the history and operations of the upper Great Lakes.

The Great Lakes have been imperative to commercial shipping, especially between Canada and other parts of the USA. As a result a number of ships from history are depicted in the exhibits to show how the maritime evolution occurred to the ships one can see in the harbor today. Visitors are able to see a replica of the cabins and pilothouse. These historical replicas are based on ships that used to travel Lake Superior. There is also a three story steam engine that is a scale model. It offers interactive displays for anyone wishing to learn more. While at the museum visitors may be able to see some of the 1000 foot freighters go by about 200 feet from the building. Visitors can also see these ships travel under the Aerial Lift Bridge as it moves out of the way to allow the ships through.

Visitors will find five members of the staff are available to keep the maritime museum open. During the winter the museum is open Friday to Sunday from 10am to 4:30pm. It is closed Monday through Thursday. Spring hours open the museum seven days a week, though Friday and Saturday the museum is open until 6pm, rather than 4:30pm. Summer hours are the same across the board at 10am to 9pm.

There are events held at the maritime museum visitors might wish to attend. The events are set at specific times of the year like the Gales of November in the first week of November. This is an annual event, which requires an admission fee. Speakers come to the luncheon to explore the history of Duluth and most specifically some of the largest Gales which have hit the city. Photographs accompany the talks to really depict the history being discussed at the event for visitors.