Museum Production Aims to Keep Great Lakes History Afloat
Published: Saturday, August 15, 2020
2020 has seen struggles of historic proportions, especially for museums. A recent survey conducted by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) suggests up to one-third of U.S. museums may not survive the year. This chilling statistic is one of many driving factors behind the National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) upcoming virtual gala—H2Oh!
This year, the H2Oh! fundraising gala will consist of a live-streamed production beginning at 7 p.m. on Saturday, September 26 and include an online auction during the week leading up. The powerful production can be viewed over computers, smart TVs and mobile devices and will support the museum’s mission threefold by: setting into motion the Great Lakes Memory Project—a new oral history initiative; giving a first look at the museum’s Port of Toledo: Then and Now temporary exhibit being installed in ProMedica headquarter’s History Walk Gallery; and announcing the winner of the 2020 Luck of the Lakes raffle—providing one lucky individual and their guests a chance to win a trip aboard an Great Lakes freighter.
“Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario—our Great Lakes contain 84% of the continent’s fresh water and together are a powerful force that have forged destinies, nourished wildlife, sparked wars, taken thousands of ships, provide countless hours of recreation, and drive industry and economy,” said the museum’s director of development and communications Kate Fineske. “This year’s gala will highlight Great Lake stories and how so many individuals have been shaped by their existence.”
Beginning September 17 and ending the day after the live-streamed production, the museum will also host an online auction featuring once-in-a-lifetime Great Lakes-inspired experiences and memorabilia. All proceeds will help keep Great Lakes history afloat by supporting the National Museum of the Great Lakes and their mission to preserve and make known the history of the Great Lakes.
Edit 9/21- Auction is going on now!: nmgl.org/h2oh2020.
About the National Museum of the Great Lakes
Founded in 1944, the Great Lakes Historical Society has been preserving our shared cultural history by publishing a quarterly journal Inland Seas® since 1945; by operating a maritime museum since 1952; by offering educational programs to the general public since 1956; by conducting underwater archaeological research across the Great Lakes since 2001; and by managing the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship since 2014 and Museum Tug Ohio since 2019. The opening of the National Museum of the Great Lakes enables the Great Lakes Historical Society to continue its mission to preserve and make known the important history of the Great Lakes.
A version of this article also appeared in the Buyer's Guide 2021 (Nov/Dec 2020) of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
tags: Charity, COVID-19, Events, Great Lakes, History, Promotions & Giveaways
