Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum

08/11/2020

The GRAND PRIZE consists of THREE unique and collectable items. These are truly very
rare and highly prized items!
* An original life ring from aboard Mackinaw WAGB83
* A Budweiser Mirror with the ship in its white hull
* An Anchor Bay, limited edition and numbered, Mackinaw WAGB83 replica
2nd Prize is a $100 gift certificate for use in our Ship’s Store
Donation: 1 ticket for $10 or 3 for $25
License #X03543
Drawing will be held on November 16, 2020
Tickets are available on www.themackinaw.org (Ship’s Store) or by calling 231-436-9825

08/06/2020

In order for our guests to have ample time to tour the ship, tickets will not be sold less than ONE HOUR prior to our posted closing time. Currently, that means that ticket purchases must be made by 5:00 pm.

08/04/2020

U.S. Coast Guard

A great tribute to the USCG!

We're always ready for the call,
We place our trust in Thee.
Through surf and storm and howling gale,
High shall our purpose be.
Semper Paratus is our guide,
Our fame, our glory too.
To fight to save or fight and die,
Aye, Coast Guard we are for you.

Happy Coast Guard Day.

#SemperParatus #USCG #ServiceBirthday

08/04/2020

230 Years and Going Strong!

08/02/2020

We've got something up our sleeve and here's a little hint!

08/02/2020

U.S. Coast Guard Great Lakes

We couldn't gather as many of the Coast Guard family as we would have liked, but we were still able to get together in a socially-distanced Escanaba Park in Grand Haven, Mich. yesterday for the National Memorial Service honoring Coast Guard members who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. Under a cerulean Lake Michigan sky, Capt. Don Montoro, Sector Commander of Sector Lake Michigan, spoke of the heroism of Coast Guard crews, including the 105 Coast Guardsmen aboard the World War II-era Coast Guard Cutter Escanaba, homeported before the war in Grand Haven. All but two members of that crew perished after the ship was sunk by a mine in the North Atlantic in 1943.

Volunteers placed a wreath at the base of Escanaba's original mast, which forms the centerpiece of Escanaba Park, and an honor guard from the local American Legion post fired a 21-gun salute over the Grand River as Capt. Montoro and Mayor Bob Monetza led the assembled civilians and Coast Guard members in rendering honors.

We honor your sacrifice, shipmates. We have the watch.

07/16/2020

We were lucky to get a few more masks! Call Robin at 231-436-9825 or email [email protected] to order yours! $20 includes tax and shipping. Help support your favorite icebreaker!

07/14/2020

The photos are of Richard Wesley Bronson who served aboard in 1946. Sadly, he passed away in 1948. The photos are courtesy of his great-nephew, Robert Becker. Fun photographs!

07/09/2020

You'll be both the envy of the neighborhood and extremely stylish while supporting us. This year we had a late start with the limitations and it has not been a busy summer for us. So jump on board! For a mere $20 we'll send one to you. Please email Robin at [email protected]. First-come, first-served as we only have 12. We are hoping to have more made in the near future; hoping.

07/09/2020

Another from our collection.

07/08/2020

Does anyone know the year of this patch?

07/06/2020

Who did travelers vote for, on TripAdvisor, as the #1 Museum in Mackinaw City? Well, US! Come visit and see for yourself!

07/03/2020

As we celebrate Independence Day this weekend, we'll dress the ship for the occasion!

07/02/2020

Heads Up! Beginning Sunday, July 5th, we will be open from 10:00 am - 6:00 pm. The last tickets will be sold no later than 5:15pm.

07/02/2020

Here's a SNEAK PEEK at an area that we just opened today! It is in "Officer's Country" and includes a display of PFD's that were used aboard the ship, a Repair Locker, an officer's stateroom and more! We think it looks great and know that you will too!

06/18/2020

We are in need of the use of a magnetometer. We need to locate a mooring anchor so we can re-attach the mooring cable. If you can assist, please email [email protected].

06/14/2020

On this Flag Day how could we choose just one photograph? Which is your favorite?

06/12/2020

What a wonderful photo! The nice people at the Petoskey News Review donated it to the museum ship. It hung in their building and they are now relocating. At 2' x 4' it is very impressive.

The photo was taken in Harbor Springs (with Harbor Point and Petoskey in the background) in the fall of 2005.

06/10/2020

Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum, Mackinaw City Michigan

As much as we would like to hold a regular schedule, it is quite a challenge due to the Coronavirus and the lack of travelers. Therefore, please call 231-436-9825, check Facebook or look on our website, www.themackinaw.org for current hours. Right now, we plan to re-open at 9:00 am on Friday, June 12th. Thank you for understanding.

06/07/2020

Give a man in your life a very unique Father's Day gift. Choose the date for us to flay a high-quality, stitched and embroidered American flag. We will send photos, the flag and a commemorative, personalized certificate suitable for framing. $65.00 inclusive of tax and shipping (shipping included if shipped within the continental United States.

Give us a call at 231-436-9825 to order. You may also order online at www.themackinaw.org at our Ship's Store.

06/06/2020

Here are a few more pictures of the brow modification project. The top now has a hook-type addition that will allow the walkway to be more flush with the deck and lower the incline by almost a foot. The wood platform helps by lifting the lower end by app. 16". The bottom now has caster wheels that are attached to a base that swivels. We accomplished exactly what we set out to do - to lessen the degree of incline in order to make boarding more comfortable and less challenging. Don't forget that we open on Monday, June 8th. And remember to bring your mask!

06/05/2020

We are opening,for the season, on June 8th at 9:00 am!!!
Please read the following guidelines prior to your visit to our ship museum.

 If you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of Covid-19, are experiencing a cough, shortness of breath, or sore throat right now, or have experienced symptoms such as a fever, loss of taste or smell, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever in the last 48 hours, please do not visit.
 A face mask must be worn in all interior locations or when social distancing is impossible in outdoor locations.
 Please maintain a safe distance of at least six feet between your group and staff and other visitors near you.
 Hand-sanitizer will be available at key locations around the ship. Please use them frequently.
 Since we do not have running water aboard the ship, we provide porta-potties. We will disinfect and sanitize them throughout the day.
 Please maintain at least six feet of distance between your group and staff or other groups.
 Plexiglass barriers have been installed at the ticket booth and Ship’s Store sales counter.
 The use of credit or debit cards is highly encouraged for purchases made on site for the most contactless experience.
 The Ship’s Store and ticket booth will be sanitized every hour, with additional sanitizing throughout the day.
 All exhibit and common area spaces will be sanitized prior to opening daily, with a scheduled cleaning process throughout the day.
 Interactive stations such as knot-tying and “Dress as a Coastie” will not be available as they are high traffic areas.

06/02/2020

Yesterday, our current brow was removed. Schwartz Boiler Shop of Cheboygan took it to their shop where it will receive repairs and modifications. With the modifications and a new boarding platform, we look to a much more comfortable walk up to the ship (less degree of incline). In the meantime, they attached our "extra" brow so we can get ready to OPEN on MONDAY, JUNE 8TH! If all goes as planned, the new platform and brow will be in place then!

05/28/2020

A group from the Mackinaw WLBB30 came by today to give us a hand by taking on a few projects. They plan to be back, next week, to get us shined-up and ready to open.
BM3 Small, BM1 Gandy, SN Mills, BM2 Cahoon, BMC Whaley, LT Smith and CWO Figueroa. Thanks so very much!

Afterwards, retired Chief Rader gave them the grand tour of the ship.

05/25/2020

With gratitude, honor and respect......we remember.

05/24/2020

At this time, due to the extension of the Stay Home/Stay Safe order, we look to open on June 12th at 0900. We look forward to seeing many friendly faces and welcoming you aboard!

05/03/2020

This is a great program that supports "Coastie Kids". Please consider a donation.

As I sat in my bed tonight holding one of my daughters while she sobbed, I couldn’t keep the tears in myself anymore. It’s been a little over 9 months since we packed all of our belongings up and moved our family to a new place where we didn’t know any one. We are still adjusting. We love our new home and this area, but to a 10 year old girl who said good bye to her best friends nine months ago and her Dad being away from us a lot more than we are used to, it has taken it’s toll on her. These kids are stronger than anyone I know! I can see the pain in their eyes, but they put a smile on their face and try everything with a positive attitude!

I have decided to continue donating birthday gifts to Coastie Kids all year long, as long as we keep getting donations. This isn’t about the parents not being able to afford a gift for their child anymore. This is about giving a little something extra to a Coastie Kid who has had to say good bye to their best friend, not sure if they will ever see them again. This gift is for a Coastie Kid whose Mom or dad is out on patrol and missing their birthday. This is an extra gift for a Coastie Kid who doesn’t get to have grandparents and aunts/uncles come to their basketball games or band concerts or birthday parties. And what better gift to give, them a Coast Guard item to remind them what their parent is doing!

If you feel it in your heart to donate a gift to a Coastie Kid, please visit our website www.adventuresofonyx.com. I will still cover the cost of shipping. Here are the direct links for the donations:

http://www.adventuresofonyx.com/shop-1/donation-gift-for-coastie-kid-birthday-autographed-onyx-book

http://www.adventuresofonyx.com/shop-1/donation-gift-for-coastie-kid-birthday-onyx-plush

http://www.adventuresofonyx.com/shop-1/donation-for-coastie-kid-birthday-onyx-color-amp-activity-book

http://www.adventuresofonyx.com/shop-rosie/donation-gift-for-coastie-kid-rosie-plush

These Military Kids are so incredible!! If you have one in your life, try to do something special for them this month!! It could be anything as simple as mailing them a little note or postcard. The littlest things that take 5 minutes of your day mean so much to these kids!!

Thank you for your support!

~Kristy

04/29/2020

Do you need a Mackinaw "fix"? Could your Quarantine Wardrobe use a lift? Our online store (www.themackinaw.org) is ALWAYS open and offers our most popular items. During this time of uncertainty we appreciate your support of our ship museum! www.themackinaw.org

04/02/2020

MightyMac.org - The Mackinac Bridge & Straits of Mackinac

We had the pleasure of attending the christening and "splash" launch of the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw (WLBB 30) at Marinette Marine's Wisconsin shipyard, 15 years ago today (April 2, 2005).

Four page of photos from the event: http://www.mightymac.org/mackinawlaunch3.htm

03/25/2020

Cheboygan Daily Tribune

Please vote for us under the category of Travel/Entertainment, Seasonal Attractions!

Daily news information about Cheboygan and Northeast Michigan.

03/23/2020

Hello! Beginning tomorrow, Tuesday, March 24, our land office will be closed. You may call 231-436-9825 or email [email protected] for general assistance. To contact the Exec. DIrector, please call 231-420-1407 or email [email protected].

Be healthy, be safe!

03/10/2020

Last week, I had a call from a Chief that is serving aboard the Neah Bay. They had liberty coming up and hoped that they could tour our ship (we get this request often when other USCG vessels are in the area). Luckily, our Board of Director Dave Morthland was available and took them aboard for a very cold tour.

Thanks for the Neah Bay for reaching out and for Dave for conducting the tour!

03/10/2020

Join us in supporting and welcoming our newest Business Partners:
Krueger's Fish Market, Mackinaw City
Kewadin Casino, Sault Ste. Marie
Midwestern Broadcast Co., Alpena
Coldwell Banker Farbairn Realty, Alanson
KFC, Mackinaw City
Mackinaw Mall, Mackinaw City
Kay's Caring Hands, Cheboygan
Cheboygan Sun Shop, Cheboygan
N.M. Paintless Dent Removal, Petoskey

If your business is interested in joining this great program, please call 231-436-9825!

03/05/2020

This time of the year, the "new" Mack often moors in Mackinaw City. This dock is closer to the Straits and SMR icebreaking operations than their home port of Cheboygan. Thanks to Jordan for allowing us to share his photos. Enjoy!

12/30/2019

Brutal wind

You know it is an evil, east wind when it moves the ship this much.