ALL SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS START WITH A…

Conversation In 2012 a conversation

took place between the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven and the Besser Museum in Alpena.

The topic discussed was the problem each institution was experiencing with trying to preserve and exhibit their historic fishing tugs.

That conversation initiated a gathering of individuals from around Michigan interested in telling the stories of the Great Lakes fisheries, commercial fishing and the fishing tugs.

This was the condition of the Katherine V located at the Besser Museum when the conversation took place.

The Evelyn S is located at the Michigan Maritime Museum in South Haven, Michigan.

Common interestAt that meeting the Great

Lakes Fisheries Heritage Consortium was formed.

Leading the Consortium was Brandon Schroeder, MSU Sea Grant Extension Educator. Brandon’s passion for the “life of the lakes”, and his network of professionals proved beneficial to the formation of the Consortium.

Brandon Schroeder

HeritageMichigan’s fisheries

heritage is as rich as it is diverse.

From:Native American fishingCommercial fishingSports fishingAnd continues with the

ongoing efforts to maintain the health of our Great Lakes ecosystem

Community Commitment

Tuffy Cross led the volunteers to completion

High School Students participate through GLSI

Multi-generational participation Husband and wife team rebuilding the rub rail

Restoration

Volunteers worked in the rain and snow

To painting

From woodwork

Volunteers put in hundreds of hours

Restoration

Commitment Passion

Teamwork Pride

Restoration

The volunteers showed up every Tuesday

And Thursday

Tackling each and every task needed To prepare the Katherine V for exhibit

AMAZING PROGRESS!

The Katherine V will be the centerpiece of the new Great Lakes

Fisheries Heritage Exhibit and a destination on the Trail.

Exhibit Plans

Kahlenberg Engine

Dave Robertson, diesel mechanic

The Kahlenberg Engine was removed before transporting the fishing tug from Rogers City to the Besser Museum in Alpena in 2000. After sitting for almost 12 years, Dave Robertson contacted the museum and expressed his interest in rebuilding the engine with the hopes of have it run again. The engine was moved to Dave’s workshop in Hillman, where he has been working diligently on the project. The plans are to have a separate display for the engine.

StoriesThe Besser Museum,

Alpena High School Students, the Brush Creek Mill Museum, and the George N. Fletcher Alpena County Library have been working together on capturing the stories of commercial fishermen.

Call of the Lakes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3w7IZBwXP8

FundraisersThe same volunteers working on the restoration of the Katherine V, also helped with the fundraisers. To date, the Besser Museum has held two Fisheries Heritage White Fish Dinner Fundraisers.

These events were used as a time to celebrate the progress being made by a handful of dedicated volunteers.

It was also a time to remind our supporters of the importance of our Great Lakes fisheries heritage and the significance of Northeast Michigan’s role in the state-wide Michigan Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Trail.

On-Going Work The Besser Museum has applied,

and is waiting to hear if we will be awarded a National Park Service Maritime Heritage Grant to help with the construction of the replica fishing village.

Alpena High School students developed a brochure to help generate funds for the Katherine V project

A third Fisheries Heritage White Fish Dinner Fundraiser is being planned for next year.

The oral history project continues to grow as individuals contact the Besser Museum with fisheries related stories and research projects.

14 year old Tuffy Cross in the engine room of the Richard W owned by Alfred Nordstrand. The Kahlenberg engine is similar to what was used on the Katherine V.