The National Museum of the Great Lakes Reopens After COVID-19 Closure

Published: Tuesday, July 7, 2020

The National Museum of the Great Lakes re-opened its doors to members and visitors on June 10 after receiving Governor DeWine’s announcement the week prior stating museums and other entertainment facilities could re-open with certain health and safety restrictions in place.

“We have been preparing for our re-opening for some time,” said the museum’s Executive Director, Chris Gillcrist. “We take the health and well being of every visitor and staff member seriously and, since shutting our doors, have been preparing to re-open and provide the very best museum experience possible with health and safety front and center.”

The National Museum of the Great Lakes is adhering to the recommendations of the Governor’s task force, including actions such as:

Timed, entry tickets pre-purchased online at www.nmgl.org to reduce crowding
Opening 1 hour early (at 9 a.m.) on Wednesdays for vulnerable populations
Expansive use of signage to encourage social distancing among guests
Aggressive staff cleaning schedules prioritizing museum and boat sanitization
Installation of personal sanitizing stations
Temporary closure of a few interactive exhibits unable to meet sanitizing requirements
Required face coverings and daily health screening assessments for all museum staff
Simplified check out procedures to reduce personal interaction

By initiating an aggressive plan to ensure the safety of guests and staff, the National Museum of the Great Lakes hopes visitors will be able to return with both excitement and firm confidence that their safety is priority. As new rules, regulations, and suggested precautions are announced, the museum plans to remain flexible and adaptive. For individuals unable to visit, the museum will continue to offer virtual opportunities via their History From Home initiative at www.nmgl.org/virtual-content.

For more information on the museum’s health and safety procedures, visit the FAQ page on www.nmgl.org.

About the National Museum of the Great Lakes

Founded in 1944, the Great Lakes Historical Society has been preserving our shared cultural history in multiple ways including by publishing a quarterly journal, Inland Seas®, since 1945; operating a maritime museum since 1952; offering educational programs to the general public since 1956; 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.

tags: COVID-19, History, Lake Erie, Travel