Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum

12/17/2019

This beautiful ornament is just one of the items that we sell via our website www.themackinaw.org. Click on the Ship's Store tab to view all of our online store's items,

12/13/2019

Peek Onboard the Coast Guard’s Christmas Tree Ship

Here are some impressive photos of the Mackinaw's "Christmas Ship" delivery.

Since it first set sail 20 years ago, Chicago's Christmas Ship has delivered more than 25,000 trees to low-income families.

12/06/2019

We are looking for any descendants of the late Admiral and Mrs. Russel R. Waesche. Mrs. Waesche broke the bottle of champagne, on the bow of the ship, when it was christened in 1944. Feel free to share this post.

11/26/2019

Good information to keep in mind.

Are you ready for a Great Lakes winter? Our crews are! Do your best to avoid seeing us by staying safe while enjoying the outdoors; If you do need our help, make it easy for us to find you. It all starts with planning, preparation, and education.

11/19/2019

Cutter Mackinaw to mark 20th Chicago Christmas Ship anniversary

Here's a very nice article on the history of "The Christmas Ship" and how both Mackinaws continued the tradition.

Continuing a 20-year tradition, the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw will deliver 1,200 Christmas trees as part of Chicago’s Christmas Ship program. The annual tree delivery dates back more than a…

11/11/2019

This would make a great gift for your favorite hunter! $25 (total) will get it delivered to you in the Continental US (a little more for AK, HI and Canada). Just email Robin at [email protected] with your contact information and she will get in touch with you.

PS Our online Ship's Store should be up and running before Black Friday.......we'll keep you posted!

11/11/2019

Honor, respect and gratitude to ALL who have, and do, serve.

11/09/2019

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald

Remembering the Captain, crew and their families.

A tribute to the 29 men who died November 10, 1975, aboard the Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior. ---- Announcer (0:04): An air and sea search is continuing...

11/08/2019

Such great detail!

Over the past year and a half, Mark Lynch, a true patriot, has painstakingly built this beautiful, to-scale model, of the decommissioned Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw (WAGB-83). Thank you for sharing with us Mark!

The decommissioned Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw (WAGB-83) is now a museum in Mackinaw City, MI. The “new” Cutter Mackinaw (WLBB-30), is homeported out of Cheboygan, MI, and plows the lakes as a multi-mission asset conducting ice breaking and working Aids to Navigation.

10/31/2019

Throw-back Thursday. One of our favorite "OMG" moments. This is shared with the permission of Joe Bruce. His father, John Bruce, was CAPT aboard the Mackinaw from 1972-1974. We have no notes that identify those in the photo.

10/23/2019

Congratulations to our lead ticket-seller, Mary Tomke, on being a finalist for the Hospitality Leadership Award. For those of you who have visited the ship, you likely met her at the ticket booth. She prides herself in being able to answer the visitor's questions about local places and happenings. Self-funded, this year she gave out over 500 Tootsie Pops to youngsters as they returned from the ship tour. Mary "receives a heads-up call" from the ship's staff for telling her that the kiddos safely completed the tour and kept their family in-line! We are so proud of Mary and her nomination!

10/17/2019

On Throwback Thursday we're not throwing too far back. A "shout out" to two of our volunteers, Gussie Williams and Angie Morthland. These are two great ladies that we can always count on. Thanks, gals!

10/14/2019

Yesterday was the last day of our 2019 tour season. A HUGE THANK YOU to all of our visitors, members and business partners for their support - we had a terrific season!

ALL could not be done without our dedicated staff and volunteers. To say that they ROCK would be an understatement! How many other seasonal businesses can boast a 100% attendance? Not one "sick day"!

We'll see you in mid-May of 2020 with a new area open to tours as well as a couple of new exhibits.

Keep following us on Facebook for more news, updates, photos and more!

10/13/2019

This was taken from the General Information Booklet circa 1995'ish.

10/11/2019

Welcome Back to the "new" Mackinaw! It sure is nice to see her back in the neighborhood!

10/06/2019

As the season winds down, our schedule is:
Sunday, October 6: 9am - 5pm
CLOSED October 7,8,9 and 10
Friday, October 11: 9am - 5pm
Saturday, October 12: 9am - 5pm
Sunday, October 13: 9am - 3pm, yes, 3pm

Sunday, October 13 is our final day for the 2019 season. Visit us soon!

10/03/2019

Throwback Thursday. This is from a collection that we recently received from Robert Becker. In the photo is his great-uncle Richard Wesley Bronson who served aboard in 1946. Let us know if you can identify anyone. I think that Mr. Bronson is the second from the right, bottom row.

10/02/2019

Sweatshirt sale! We have a good selection of sweatshirts (and kid's t's) on sale at 50% off the regular price. Stop by as museum admission is not charged if you only want to visit the store. We are open daily through Sunday the 6th and then again the following weekend. The supply is limited (we are discontinuing a few items) and we are not taking phone orders for these, sorry.

09/09/2019

Come aboard today from noon-1pm to meet Onyx in person! I hear that paw-print autographs and photos will be available! Onyx lives at USCG Station St. Ignace and is an honorable "Chief".

09/05/2019

We think that we can count at least 9 vessels trailing the Mackinaw. Can you name the 1st one? Like and share....we are only 58 "likes" away from 7000!

09/04/2019

We recently received photos from Wade Olson whose father was aboard 1956-1960.

08/30/2019

I received this letter via email last eve ning. A big "Atta Girl" to Robin, our Office Manager. Also thanks to Chuck Rader for taking the photographs.

"I just wanted to send you a quick note about my wonderful experience with Robin Westfall and the USCGC Mackinaw Fly-a-Flag program.

I wanted a flag to be flown on the Mackinaw on August 12th for our daughter's 24th birthday (she's a huge Coast Guard buff and the WAGB-83 Mackinaw is her favorite Coast Guard ship ever). I had multiple questions about the flag-flying process (just ask Robin!) and we exchanged several emails, all of which were answered promptly, thoroughly, patiently, and with a wonderful sense of humor. I ended up needing to call Robin with one question, and I received the same first-class treatment on the phone. I also asked her if she would do a couple of things differently for me (one of which was to take some extra pictures of our daughter's flag flying on the Mackinaw), which she somehow managed to make happen! She sent along beautiful pictures taken by Chuck Rader (which I'm making into a photo collage for our daughter), sent me updates on the process and flag-flying, and was more than willing to be flexible on shipping date of our order, as we were originally planning to be out of town when she would normally have shipped the order to us. Just over-and-above customer service all around!

Thank you for having people like Robin - I can't say enough about how much I appreciate her. She's a wonderful representative of the Mackinaw and she provided us with excellent customer service. Her friendliness, patience with my many questions, and willingness to go the extra mile for us has given our daughter a very special way to document and remember her flag-flying on the Mackinaw"!

Gratefully,

T.S,
Saint Paul, MN

08/14/2019

It's almost "Reunion Weekend". We are in need of someone with a video camera that would be willling to tape short interviews of former crew. The time slot is 2pm- 4pm on Saturday, August 17th. If you can volunteer or know of someone that may, please email [email protected].

08/14/2019

Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum's cover photo

08/04/2019

Happy Birthday to our beloved United States Coast Guard! Semper Paratus!

07/22/2019

Due to the lack of committed participants we are cancelling the "Paint on the Mack" event scheduled for Wednesday, July 24. We apologize for any inconvenience.

07/19/2019

A HUGE "THANK YOU" TO OUR VOLUNTEER ANN GRINER! SHE CAME TO THE SHIP WITH RLEMONADE AND A BAG OF ICE. (EVERYONE KNOWS HOW WE "NORTHERNS" DON'T FARE WELL IN THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY). YAY ANN!

07/15/2019

The deadline is looming to register for the upcoming reunion. If you plan to attend the reunion and have not yet registered, please Call Robin at 231-436-9825 to register. You can also register online at www.themackinaw.org!

07/09/2019

Yesterday, the National Ensign was flown in memory and honor of CDR Molly Waters. Sadly, Molly passed away earlier this year as a result of a motorcycle accident. On the Great Lakes, she served aboard the Mackinaw WAGB83 and commanded the Neah Bay and the Hollyhock. We were honored to welcome her family aboard.

07/04/2019

Today the National Ensign is being flowin in honor of George A. Grawey. His son won our recent Fly-a-flag drawing and chose to have the flag flown, in his father's honor, on July 4th.

07/03/2019

This is what Chuck Rader and Lisa Pallagi are doing today. Actually, I (Lisa) am more of a helper. Hoping we'll get the last of the midges off and open up the upper decks. At least it is a beautiful day to swab the decks!

07/02/2019

Don't forget to register for the upcoming reunion that will be held August 16-18, 2019. So far, other than Michigan and neighboring states, we have folks coming from California, Texas, New Jersey, South Dakota, Maryland, Tennessee and more. Register online at www.themackinaw.org and call 231-436-9825 for information.

06/24/2019

It was a small group and we had a great time!

06/18/2019

Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum's cover photo

06/18/2019

Last night was our trial run at lighting the bulkhead with LED lights. It looked spectacular!! We should have the final settings completed by early next week when it will then be lit every evening.

06/17/2019

Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum

Only a few more days! Sign up today!!

We are open mid-May until mid-October. Open at 9:00 am.

06/14/2019

Congratulations to George Grawey, winner of our Flag Day giveaway - a Fly-A-Flag! PM me and we'll make your reservation.

06/11/2019

Offical USCG Photo. Whitefish Bay, April 1948.

06/08/2019

Mackinaw City's 4th grade class (Mrs. Powers is their teacher) enjoyed an Educational Tour hosted by the museum and led by our Lead Educational Tour Volunteer, Martha Orloff. Sharing our history with our community!

06/07/2019

18 months of great images of your favorite USCGC! We are offering this 18 month calendar (starts in July 2019) in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the launching of the Mackinaw. Only $20.00 (includes tax and s/h in the continental US) Call Robin at 231-436-9825 to order yours. Only 100 are available!

06/06/2019

Coast Guard Memes

This famous photo was called "Into the Jaws of Death" when it was taken on June 6, 1944. Original caption: Down the ramp of a Coast Guard landing barge Yankee soldiers storm toward the beach-sweeping fire of Nazi defenders in the D-Day Invasion of the French Coast. Troops ahead may be seen lying flat under the deadly machine gun resistance of the Germans. Soon the Nazis were driven back under the overwhelming Invasion forces thrown in from Coast Guard and Navy amphibious craft. (U.S. Coast Guard photo, now in the National Archives)

Via Navy Times

06/06/2019

We salute the men and women of "The Greatest Generation" for their patriotism and bravery.

06/03/2019

In honor of Flag Day (June 14th) we are giving away one of our popular "Fly-a-Flag" packages. The 3'x5' flag will be flown aboard the ship on the day of your choice (some limitations) in honor or memory of a person of your choice. We'll send you a photo of the flag as it is flown, the flag and a certificate of authenticity. Just "like" and "share" this post to be entered in the random drawing. This is normally priced at $65.00. The winner will be drawn on June 14th at noon. For more info on how to purchase flag package (A GREAT FATHER'S DAY GIFT) visit our website www.themackinaw.org.

05/24/2019

As the Memorial Day weekend is upon us, let us remember and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

05/22/2019

Here's a sneak peak at a photo that will be included in an upcoming display about the building of the ship. Cynthia Pierce Long has allowed us access to many photos that belong to her family. She is the grand-daughter of Charles Rush Pierce who was the Construction Superintendant. Thank you, Cindy!