The National Museum of the Great Lakes announced its 2026 Spring Lecture Series, presented by Larry and Karen Bettcher.
The three-part series will bring dynamic Great Lakes stories to life through expert speakers, compelling research, and engaging storytelling. All lectures are free and offered in a hybrid format, allowing guests to attend in person at the museum or virtually via Zoom. Donations are encouraged, and advance registration through Eventbrite is required for both in-person and virtual attendance.
The series began this past Wednesday with Mapping the Great Lakes: Shipwrecks, Surfing, and Shorelines. Cartographer and author Alex B. Hill explored the Great Lakes through more than 50 original maps, drawing from his book Great Lakes in 50 Maps. Hill examined the lakes through themes of history, ecology, infrastructure, and geography — revealing surprising connections, from clusters of shipwrecks and surfing communities to environmental change and cultural identity across the basin.
On April 15, the museum presents The Loss of the Clough: Exploration, Discovery, and an Unexpected Tragedy. This timely lecture ties directly to the museum’s current micro exhibit on the recently confirmed Clough shipwreck. Maritime archaeologist Chris Kraska will explore the 1868 sinking of the barkentine Clough, the perilous world of 19th-century Great Lakes commerce, and the modern technologies used to locate and identify shipwrecks. The program will also reflect on the profound legacy of maritime archaeologist David VanZandt, whose connection to the wreck site adds a deeply human dimension to the story…