The Michigan Maritime Museum welcomes Madeline Crispell, curator of the Chicago Maritime Museum, for a special lecture on Wednesday, August 13, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Crispell will present Sailors, Keepers, Racers, and More: Women on the Great Lakes, exploring the often-overlooked but vital roles women have played throughout the region’s maritime history. From cooks to captains, lighthouse keepers to racing team leaders, women have shaped the Great Lakes in countless ways—both on deck and behind the scenes.
“We are proud to host Madeline, and guests are sure to find these stories inspiring,” says Ashley Deming, Director of Education & Programs at the Michigan Maritime Museum. “By highlighting contributions at every level, it becomes clear how essential women have been to the maritime history of the Great Lakes.”
Madeline Crispell brings a deep background in public history to her role as curator at the Chicago Maritime Museum. Her work which spans exhibitions, walking tours, and public programs, has delved into topics ranging from American travel history to Chicago’s alleyways.
This event is part of Whispers Across the Water, the Museum’s year-long series celebrating the diverse and often underrepresented voices that have contributed to the Great Lakes’ maritime heritage. Through monthly programs running through November, the series highlights the stories of Indigenous peoples, African Americans, women, and other minority communities who have shaped the region’s maritime legacy.
This lecture i sponsored through the Nielsen-Wells Grant Fund and by Mike & Susan Smith.
Attendance is included with regular Museum admission.
For more information, visit michiganmaritimemuseum.org/events.
Event Details
Lunch & Learn Lecture Series– Sailors, Keepers, Racers, and More: Women on the Great Lakes
Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Time: 12:00pm – 1pm
Location: 260 Dyckman Avenue, South Haven, MI 49090
Cost: Free with Museum admission
