The Office of the State Archaeologist is a partner in the stewardship of Michigan's submerged heritage. We are entrusted with determining the historical significance and interpretation of artifacts found on Great Lakes bottomlands.

Our partners include the Department of Environmental Quality (responsible for the recognition of recreational possibilities) and the Department of Natural Resources (responsible for enforcement of safe-boating and anti-theft laws). Together, our three agencies have created one of the strongest underwater preservation programs in the United States.

The fourth partner in Michigan's maritime heritage is you—the family on vacation, the avocational scuba diver, the charter boat operator, the waterfront store owner and so many others.

Michigan has a network of underwater preserves, where snorkelers, scuba divers and boaters can explore the wreckage of maritime mishaps.

• The DEQ offers information on all Michigan Underwater Preserve sites

In October 2000, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration designated a national marine sanctuary in Thunder Bay at Alpena. Wayne Lusardi, marine archaeologist on the OSA staff, is stationed there.

• Visit the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve web site

Michigan is home to more maritime museums than just about any other state. You don't need special equipment or training to visit one of the following museums—just a little time.

• Bay County Historical Society & Historical Museum of Bay County, Bay City
• Dossin Great Lakes Museum, part of the Detroit Historical Museums
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, Whitefish Point
• Marquette Maritime Museum, Marquette
• Michigan Maritime Museum, South Haven
• Port Huron Museum (Huron Lightship Museum, Edison Depot Museum, Fort Gratiot Lighthouse)
• Sleeping Bear Point Coast Guard Station/Maritime Museum, Empire
• S.S. City of Milwaukee, Manistee
• S.S. Milwaukee Clipper, Muskegon

The Michigan Historical Museum System, a sister agency of the OSA, includes two lighthouses that help tell the stories of Michigan's maritime heritage.

• The 1866 Copper Harbor Lighthouse is on the Keweenaw Peninsula on Lake Superior
• The 1876 Tawas Point Lighthouse is on Lake Huron

Other midwestern states have Great Lakes maritime heritage.

• Visit the Michigan Historical Museum System's web page on Museums of the Midwest to find maritime museums in other Great Lakes states.

The Department of History, Arts and Libraries is committed to promoting Michigan's maritime heritage as part of our state's cultural tourism and economic development.

• Visit HAL's Maritime Heritage Destinations home page.

Updated 09/09/2005

Michigan Historical Center, Department of History, Arts and Libraries
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