Remembering the Edmund Fitzgerald
Join Us for a Powerful 50th Anniversary Tribute
The SS Edmund Fitzgerald, one of the largest and most famous freighters to sail the Great Lakes, sank during a fierce storm on Lake Superior on November 10, 1975, taking the lives of all 29 crew members aboard. Its mysterious sinking remains one of the Great Lakes’ most captivating stories, elevated even further by the popular 1976 Gordon Lightfoot song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald“. The ship was often called the “Toledo Express” because the majority of the crew and the captain resided in Toledo—making it a significant Great Lakes connection directly related to our hometown.
Now, 50 years later, the National Museum of the Great Lakes plans to honor the ship and crew’s memory with a weekend (Friday, November 7 – Monday, November 10) of unforgettable events, special performances, and meaningful reflections as well as numerous activities in the months leading up to the anniversary.
Weekend Highlights
Join us in Toledo from Friday, November 7 through Monday, November 10 as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the tragic loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald—a maritime disaster that still haunts the Great Lakes to this day.
We’re partnering with local organizations, including Downtown Toledo hotels, to honor their memory with a weekend of unforgettable events, special performances, and meaningful reflections.
Thank you to the Clement O. Miniger Memorial Foundation for their generous support of this weekend tribute in Toledo.
Guided Fitzgerald Tours Aboard the Schoonmaker
All Weekend Long
From Friday through Monday, explore life on a freighter with guided tours aboard the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship, co-presented by The Lathrop Company and The Collaborative. Step back in time and imagine the challenges faced by Fitzgerald’s crew. Registration required. Admission included with registration. Click here to find out more.
Fitzgerald Beer Launch and Honorary Dinner at Quenched & Tempered Brewery
Friday, November 7 | 3 – 9 pm
Kick off the weekend with a local brew (or two) crafted by Quenched and Tempered Brewery. They are serving the “last meal” (chicken paprikash) aboard the Edmund Fitzgerald inside the taproom from 3 -9 pm (or while supplies last), with live music from 7 – 9 pm. Their collaboration beer, “The Toledo Express” copper ale, will be released on draft and in cans the evening. Walk-ins welcome.
Book Signing: The Legend Lives On: S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald
Saturday, November 8 | 2- 3 pm
Join us at the National Museum of the Great Lakes for a special book signing with maritime photographer and author Christopher Winters. He’ll be signing the newly released 50th anniversary edition of The Legend Lives On: S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald, featuring 50 new pages of content available for purchase in our museum store. Included with admission.
Meredith Moon Live at the Valentine Theater
Sunday, November 9 | 7 pm
Experience a powerful tribute concert featuring Meredith Moon, daughter of Gordon Lightfoot, whose iconic song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” immortalized the tragedy. Tickets required.
Documentary Screening
Monday, November 10 | 10 am – 5 pm
Watch A Good Ship and Crew Well Seasoned: The Fitzgerald and Her Legacy documentary, produced by the National Museum of the Great Lakes and Allied Communications, Inc to explore lesser known history about the ship and its crew. Playing every hour (10 am – 5 pm) on Monday, November 10 in the museum’s Great Lakes Community Education Center. Included with admission.
Guest Panel and Anniversary Ceremony
Monday, November 10 | 6 pm
Sold out. Please join the waitlist and you’ll be notified if a ticket becomes available.
Join us at the National Museum of the Great Lakes for a moving evening of reflection, featuring a panel of experts, historians, and those personally connected to the Edmund Fitzgerald including Lissa Guyton, Ric Mixter, and Tom Walton. The night will conclude with a solemn ceremony marking the exact moment the ship was lost. Registration required.
Hotel Royal
Looking for a boutique experience? Stay in a former 1900s railroad hotel and save 15% off the nightly rate with code FITZGERALD50.
Shop the Edmund Fitzgerald Collection
Tribute Weekend & Beyond
Artifacts and Immersive Experiences
Explore the legacy of the Edmund Fitzgerald at the National Museum of the Great Lakes, where you can see one of two life rafts recovered from the shipwreck – the only one on public display. This powerful artifact serves as a poignant reminder of the tragic loss. Plus, dive deeper into history with our award-winning simulator experience, where you can become an underwater archaeologist and virtually explore the shipwreck site yourself.
Private Edmund Fitzgerald Tours
Looking for a more personal way to experience history? Book a private tour aboard the Col. James M. Schoonmaker to dive deeper into the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Our private tours include:
- Similarities between the Schoonmaker and the Fitzgerald
- Stories about the Fitzgerald crew and their lives aboard the ship
- Theories about the ship’s sinking and the mystery that surrounds it
Private tours are available May 1 – October 31 —perfect for history buffs, groups, or corporate outings. Contact us to schedule your private tour today!
Explore the Mystery of the Fitzgerald with Our Speaker’s Bureau
Edmund Fitzgerald: What Really Happened?
Delve deeper into the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald with a presentation from the National Museum of the Great Lakes’ Speaker’s Bureau.
Our expert-led presentation explores:
- A brief history of Great Lakes shipping
- The Edmund Fitzgerald’s impressive career and record-breaking hauls
- The mystery surrounding its loss, including prevailing theories
We offer public presentations tailored to groups of any size—from 15 to 250 people. Presentations can be held in-person or virtually and are accompanied by a professionally designed PowerPoint.
Click here to request a speaker or contact Jenna Ruetz at jenna.ruetz@nmgl.org or 419-214-5000 ext. 215.
Host a Special Screening of Our Documentary
A Good Ship and Crew Well Seasoned: The Fitzgerald and Her Legacy
Discover the untold story of the Fitzgerald and its crew with our powerful documentary produced by the National Museum of the Great Lakes and Allied Communications, Inc.
This film explores:
- The lesser-known history of the Fitzgerald and its crew
- Unpublished manuscripts and photographs
- The human impact of the loss on family, friends, and the maritime community
We are pleased to offer public screenings of the film with a live or virtual Q&A with the film’s producer, Chris Gillcrist. This offering is available at the same rate as our lectures, with discounted rates for virtual screenings.
Interested in hosting a screening? Contact Jenna Ruetz at jenna.ruetz@nmgl.org or 419-214-5000 ext. 215 for more information.
Be Part of History
This is more than just a weekend—it’s a chance to honor the legacy of the Edmund Fitzgerald and its crew, reflect on the Great Lakes’ rich maritime history, and connect with others who share a passion for preserving it.
Plan your trip to Toledo today and stay tuned for more details on this unforgettable weekend.
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