Associate Member Profile

National Museum of the Great Lakes

Where the Past, Present, and Future of the Great Lakes Come to Life.

Located on the banks of the Maumee River in Toledo, Ohio, the National Museum of the Great Lakes preserves, shares and celebrates generations of Great Lakes stories, bringing its vast history to life.

Step inside and uncover thousands of years of shoreline stories—tales of daring exploration, booming industry, lifesaving innovation, and legendary shipwrecks that still ripple through the region today. Explore nine dynamic exhibit galleries, where rotating showcases join permanent installations such as the St. Marys Challenger pilothouse and the Bob Sellers Model Boat Collection. More than 50 interactive stations and hundreds of rare artifacts invite hands-on discovery at every turn. Then venture outdoors to walk the decks of two preserved icons—the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the Museum Tug Ohio. Founded in 1944, the museum continues to publish Inland Seas®, lead maritime research, and serve as the gathering place for Great Lakes conversations.

Finally, along with inviting members and visitors from across the globe to visit and participate in a diverse line-up of programming for all ages and Great Lakes interests, the museum also is home to the Great Lakes Community Education Center, the Alexander and Marilyn Cook Leadership Center, and the William and Pamela Davis Family Community Plaza. These spaces provide flexible, indoor/outdoor river-view hubs for learning and celebration to host classes, public forums, weddings, and corporate retreats—turning the museum into a year-round gathering place for Great Lakes conversations. For more information on the event space and rentals visit: nmgl.org/rentals/