The Fitzgerald Experience

Tour our historic lake freighter to learn more about the loss of the iconic S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975. In honor of the 51st Anniversary of the loss of the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975 we are offering a weekend of special tours. Take a guided tour of the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, using our lake freighter and its similarities to the Edmund Fitzgerald to discuss the events of November 10, 1975, theories surrounding the sinking and stories about the 29 crew members who were lost. This tour is approximately 75 minutes long. Tours take place every 30 minutes, with the first tour starting at 10 am and the last tour beginning at 3:30 PM. Tickets are $25 for NMGL members and $40 for non-members. Each tour will be limited to 12 people. Guests will also receive a museum store discount of 10% (non-members) / 20% (members) off in-store purchases. Your tour purchase includes admission to the National Museum of the Great Lakes. Due to its historical accuracy, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship is not ADA accessible. Narrow, steep staircases are common throughout the Schoonmaker and may provide difficulties in accessibility for some. The Schoonmaker is also not heated and much of the tour is on uncovered decks. We encourage you to dress appropriately for the weather. If we determine that the weather has made these tours impossible, we will provide a refund of the ticket price (minus fees). If the program is cancelled, we are not planning a make-up date. You can process a refund (minus fees) and cancel your ticket up to 7 days before the event.