The Michigan Maritime Museum is proud to welcome 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 is proudly 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
