Michigan Maritime Museum demolition paves the way for new building and expansion

SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. — After three days of demolition, only part of the original building foundation that housed the Michigan Maritime Museum remained.

The continued demolition Wednesday marked the beginning of construction in an $8 million capital campaign three years in the making. A new Maritime Heritage Center will be built in its place with more than three times the footprint. The new museum will be located at the site of the current museum, 260 Dyckman Ave., along the Black River channel just west of the drawbridge.

Ashley Deming, the museum's director of education and administration, said growing interest in the museum created a need for more space.

"What we've been able to do that’s helped our growth is our on water fleet," Deming said. "But that’s so seasonal here in Michigan, so we really needed to be able to expand beyond that."

She said the new facility will allow the museum to remain open year round, generating more revenue to host and acquire bigger exhibits in the future.

At a little over 17,000 square feet, the new two-story building will feature more exhibit space, a larger atrium, a classroom and learning center, plus conference rooms and offices for museum staff.

Built in 1970 as a visitor center for Palisade's nuclear power plant, the building was later donated in 1983 to become the museum, which opened in 1985.

The new center is only part of the museum's plans for the future. In October 2020 the museum acquired the neighboring and historic Jenson's Fishery property. Some of the buildings will be used to host more exhibits, and the museum will complete dock work and shoreline revetment along the Black River channel.

Assuming construction goes according to plan, Deming said they hope the museum reopens by June 2022. Its first major exhibit will be on Great Lakes passenger steamships.

According to Deming, the campaign has reached about 72% of its goal.

“We’re hoping that we’ll keep up the wonderful momentum and community support from our members and other folks in and outside of Michigan," she said. "Just keep rolling with the project and get it all finished."

Through the end of September 2021, the Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation promises to match any donations up to $45,000 for the campaign. An opportunity for community members to sponsor planks on the boardwalk will be coming soon.

While the museum is closed as of Wednesday, tickets to ride on Friends Good Will and Lindy Lou were still available through the end of September on the Michigan Maritime Museum's website.

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