Michigan Maritime Museum

STEAM Camp
2025-08-08 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-08-07 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-08-06 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-08-05 09:30 - 12:00, 2025-08-04 09:30 - 12:00 (America/Detroit) | Michigan Maritime Museum, 260 Dyckman Avenue, South Haven, MI, 49090, United States
The Museum offers a STEAM focused summer camp for students grades 3-5 (ages 8-10). The camp runs for one week in the summer and is open to 15 students. The STEAM curriculum focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. The day camp, held on the Museum campus in South Haven, features a maritime themed program through engaging STEAM activities and lessons. The camp includes hands-on activities, lessons aboard our tall ship Friends Good Will, interactive exhibit tours, and a paddle on the Black River in a voyageur canoe.
For more information visit the STEAM Camp webpage.

STEAM Camp is proudly sponsored by Ruth Wiser

Hands-On the Harbor Day Camp
2025-07-31 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-07-17 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-07-10 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-07-03 10:30 - 12:30, 2025-06-26 10:30 - 12:30 UTC
Hands-On the Harbor is a weekly Day Camp that is offered Thursdays June – August, starting June 12th, from 10:30am to 12:30pm. You can drop your camper off to enjoy Museum educator-led immersive and hands-on activities, exhibit tours, and fun at the Michigan Maritime Museum! Campers will participate in a variety of maritime-themed programs exploring both inside the Museum’s Jerry Mason Learning Center and out on our waterfront campus.
Registration is $10 per student per day, $7 for Museum Members. Capacity for each camp is limited to fifteen students, so register today! To sign up or for questions, contact leslie@mimaritime.org or (269) 637-8078 ext. 205.

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Maritime Makers
2025-07-29 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-07-22 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-07-15 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-07-08 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-07-01 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Detroit)
Join us at the Michigan Maritime Museum every Tuesday throughout the summer for a make-and-take arts and crafts program! Participants will create their piece of maritime-themed art at this drop-in program while educators provide assistance and exciting information related to that day’s theme.

These programs are geared towards children, but anyone can participate! Included with general admission.

Maritime Makers is proudly sponsored by Clark & Cathy Carmichael

Fish Tales Story Time
2025-07-28 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-07-21 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-07-14 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-07-07 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-06-30 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Detroit)
Join us at the Michigan Maritime Museum at 10:30 am every Monday June through August as we read a maritime-themed story from our maritime children’s book library! These story times are perfect for young families and included with regular museum admission.

Fish Tales is a collaboration with the Michigan Maritime Museum, the American Association of University Women, and the South Haven Scott Club.

Sweetwater Film Showcase
2025-07-25 10:30 - 15:30, 2025-07-24 10:30 - 15:30 UTC
This event is proudly sponsored by:
The Horton Family in honor of Gary Horton
The Michigan Maritime Museum is proud to present the Sweetwater Film Showcase. This two-day event will feature short and full length documentaries about Great Lakes topics that highlight the connections, contributions, and stories of underrepresented and minority communities and persons to Great Lakes maritime history and heritage. The Showcase is a part of the Museum’s Whispers Across the Water series.
2025 Documentary Selections
Members- $15 per person/per day
Non-Members $20 per person/per day
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Lunch & Learn: "Save a Walleye, Spear an Indian"
2025-07-16 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Detroit)
Lecture Series is proudly sponsored by the Nielsen-Wells Grand Fund and Mike & Susan Smith

The Michigan Maritime Museum is proud to showcase South Haven middle school student Hayden Washegesic for his History Day competition performance presentation of “Save a Walleye, Spear an Indian,” based on his research of the Wisconsin Walleye War of the 1980s and 90s, a tumultuous time in the history of the Native American rights movement. Hayden brings those voices to life as his presentation calls attention to a significant moment in the history of the Lac du Flambeau and Lac Courte Oreilles bands of the Ojibwe Nation.
Hayden Washegesic is a South Haven student. A longtime member of his school’s History Club, this will be Hayden’s third year competing at Nationals for History Day. He chose to focus on this topic as it highlights an aspect of Native American history that isn’t widely discussed. This is also personal for Hayden, as his grandfather came to South Haven to work with his father on the gillnet fish tug Elsie J. as a commercial fisherman. Hayden wanted to pursue this topic not only for its broader historical importance but also as it relates to his personal family history.
This lecture is part of our year-long programmatic series Whispers Across the Water that showcases and celebrates the invaluable contributions of minority communities to Great Lakes maritime history and heritage

23rd Annual Fish Boil Fundraiser
2025-07-12 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Detroit)
Join the Michigan Maritime Museum for our 23rd Annual Fish Boil! This old-fashioned Great Lakes fish boil dinner includes traditionally boiled local lake fish, potatoes and onions covered in a butter sauce, with a roll, coleslaw, and ice cream for dessert! There will also be a 50/50 raffle and a cash bar with beer, wine, and soft drinks. Join us for a delicious meal, great company, and the best harbor views!
Just about everything from the fish to the napkins is donated through the generosity of businesses and organizations in our community. Please come out to support the Museum and enjoy a Great Lakes tradition!

Tickets will be available at the door until we run out of fish! Take out option is available.
$20 per person, $10 children (12 and under)

Fish Boil Supporters:
Star of the Lake Masonic Lodge
South Pier Creamery
Phoenix St. Cafe
Barden’s Farm Market
Clementine’s
Bob’s Processing
MyTown Ace Hardware
South Haven Public Schools

Visiting Science Vessel
2025-06-28 13:00 - 18:00, 2025-06-27 13:00 - 18:00, 2025-06-26 13:00 - 18:00 UTC
Proudly sponsored by Mike & Susan Smith
We are excited to announce that the research vessel W.G. Jackson from Grand Valley State University’s Annis Water Resources Institute will be visiting the Michigan Maritime Museum this summer! Guests will have the opportunity to explore the vessel at the dock, speak with on-board scientists and educators about freshwater science, and get a chance for some hands-on learning about local watersheds and water quality. Dockside research vessel tours are available between 1 PM – 6 PM and included with General Museum Admission.
What you need to know:

You must have a Museum wristband to board the vessel.
The vessel will not leave the dock during the tours.
Onboard tours last approximately 10-15 minutes with the possibility of longer depending on availability.
Visitors of any age may come onboard to tour the vessel while at the dock. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
All bags brought onboard must be inspected by the captain. No weapons are allowed onboard.
Please note that there is no seating on the vessel.

Science Expedition Cruise
2025-06-28 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-06-27 10:30 - 12:00, 2025-06-26 10:30 - 12:00 UTC
Proudly sponsored by Mike & Susan Smith
The Michigan Maritime Museum has partnered with the Annis Water Resources Institute (AWRI) to bring you this special research opportunity in the Black River and on Lake Michigan aboard research vessel W.G. Jackson. During each Science Expedition Cruise, participants will serve as freshwater scientists, collecting data and observations about the bodies of water through which they cruise. Onboard AWRI scientists and educators will provide information about local watersheds, maritime history that has impacted the environment, and more! The vessel will anchor out on Lake Michigan at a sample station and participants will conduct water quality testing experiments before heading back to the Museum docks. Become a freshwater scientist for day with AWRI and the MMM!

Tickets must be purchased in advance and will not be sold the day of the cruise.
Cruises are 90-minutes.
Passengers must be age 10 or above. Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Please dress appropriately for the weather, including rain gear and sun protection as conditions warrant. Shoes should be non-skid and closed toe (no flip-flops or sandals).
We ask passengers to limit bags and personal items brought onboard are limited, due to limited space onboard. Potable water is also available onboard. Any bags brought onboard must be inspected by the captain. No weapons are allowed onboard.
Please note that there is no seating on the vessel. The W.G. Jackson is not wheelchair accessible away from its homeport in Muskegon, MI.
Tickets sales are non-refundable. Refunds will be issued only in the event the vessel captain cancels the cruise.

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