Last updated: 9/24/2011
100 Strand Drive
Detroit, MI 48227
5401 Woodward Ave
Detroit, MI 48202
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Janice Gates
phone: 313-833-1805
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The Dossin Great Lakes Museum offers visitors a comprehensive look at life on the Great Lakes and along the Detroit River. Located on the shore of historic Belle Isle, the Dossin is a “must see?cultural location for those who love maritime history and enjoy being near the water.
Greeting visitors as they enter, The Gothic Room exhibit makes one feel like they are stepping back to a time when Great Lakes luxury liners like the City of Detroit III took travelers up and down the river.
The Dossin is known for its extensive collection of ship models and several are on display and rotate annually. An impressive array of signal flags hangs in DeRoy Hall with information about how they are used on the Great Lakes.
Other popular exhibits include the City on the Straits and the Bob-Lo Island exhibition.
Perhaps most impressive is the S.S. William Clay Ford Pilot House, which is as educational as it is fun. This is the actual pilot house from the Great Lakes vessel. Below deck is more information about the vessel as well as information about the fabled and ill-fated S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald that sunk many years ago.
Outside the walls of the Museum are treasures such as the Miss Pepsi, which has its own building constructed just for the hydroplane, as well as the anchor from the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald.
The Detroit Historical Society is always open to sending artifacts within our Collections to other Museums, commercial business, associations and clubs as well as other locations. All loans are based on availability of an artifact or collection of artifacts, environment of the host location, security of the host location as well as other possible factors. Individual artifacts can be borrowed at an average rate of $75 per year. This fee varies depending on the size of the artifact and its value to the Collection. This fee does not include shipping, handling or installation. All loans must be approved by the Curator of Collections after host site conditions are evaluated. Special fees will be accessed for institutions borrowing large quantities of objects for specific displays or exhibits. All loan requests should be made no later than 30 days in advance of the date that the loan is needed. Contact the Curator of Collections for more information at 313.297.8391.
The Detroit Historical Society also has several former exhibits available for travel to and rental by other institutions.
The Dossin Great Lakes Museum, located on Belle Isle, showcases the stories of the Great Lakes with a special emphasis on Detroit’s role in maritime history. This unique Museum has a treasure of maritime artifacts presented in exciting displays and exhibits. Help us continue to preserve these important stories and collections of the Great Lakes for generations to come.
Don’t just make plans, make history! The Dossin Great Lakes Museum stands on the shore of Detroit’s historic Belle Isle, one of America’s grandest city parks. Your guests will enjoy a panoramic view of the Detroit River while strolling through more than 300 years of maritime history.
The reconstructed pilot house of the Great Lakes freighter S.S. William Clay Ford.
The Miss Pepsi championship hydroplane
One of the largest known collection of scale model ships in the world.
At the Detroit Historical Society, we are actively preserving and presenting our region’s stories through our unique exhibits featuring our extensive collection of artifacts at both the Detroit Historical Museum and Dossin Great Lakes Museum.
Our docent guided tours meet the needs and interests of a variety of audiences of all ages. Moreover, all of our student experiences meet the academic standards established by the State of Michigan.
Whether you’re a teacher interested in helping your students understand and interpret Detroit’s past, an activities director planning a field trip for your church or senior group, or a parent organizing an adventure for you and your neighbors, our team can tailor a tour to satisfy your needs.
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