Make a difference and be part of our crew! Join us on the first Friday of every month to volunteer and support our mission. Whether you lend a hand with projects, events, or behind-the-scenes work, your time helps keep history alive.
No experience needed. Free to participate. All are welcome!
Join us aboard the ship for our First Friday Volunteer Day and help support the museum’s mission to preserve and share maritime history. Volunteers can lend a hand for one hour or the entire afternoon, working on a variety of projects that help keep the ship and museum running smoothly. Tasks may include organizing materials, light cleaning, painting, shredding documents, or other hands-on projects around the ship. It’s a great way to meet fellow history lovers, earn service hours, and become part of the crew while helping care for this unique historic vessel. Free and open to all ages.
Come meet Rosie the Riveter aboard the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum! Step back in time and celebrate the women who helped build history during World War II. During this special program, visitors can meet Rosie and learn about the women who worked in shipyards, factories, and support roles that helped keep ships like the Mackinaw operating. Their dedication, ingenuity, and teamwork played a vital role in supporting maritime missions and the broader wartime effort. Stop by to hear stories from the home front, take photos with Rosie, and celebrate the women whose work helped shape history. Included with regular museum... Read More »
Join us in Mackinaw City as we celebrate 20 years of preserving and sharing the history of the Mackinaw! The day begins with an official anniversary ceremony from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM, honoring the people, partners, and community members who helped make the museum what it is today. After the ceremony, the celebration continues with a parking lot party featuring free food, tours of the ship, and plenty of opportunities to explore and celebrate together. Bring your friends, bring your family, and help us mark two decades of maritime history, community, and the remarkable story of the Mackinaw. Free... Read More »
Join us on Saturday, June 20 at 7:00 pm for a festive 20th Anniversary Celebration on the deck of this historic Great Lakes icebreaker. Enjoy delicious hors d’oeuvres, live music, a cash bar, and an exciting silent auction—all while surrounded by the beauty and history of Mackinaw. The evening will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display viewed right from aboard the ship. This milestone celebration honors 20 years since Mackinaw arrived in Mackinaw City and began her new mission of preservation, education, and inspiring future generations. Event Details Saturday, June 20 | 7:00 pm Aboard the Icebreaker Mackinaw $50 IMMM... Read More »
We warmly invite all past crew members of the Mackinaw to come aboard and reconnect with the ship and your fellow crew. Share your stories, reminisce about life on the icebreaker, and help bring history to life for our visitors. From 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, the museum will be open for you to explore, revisit old memories, and meet other former crew members. Your experiences are the heart of Mackinaw’s story, and we’d love to celebrate them with you. Included with regular museum admission.
Join us for a special Meet the Author event featuring local historian and author Sandra L. Planisek, whose book Icebreaker Mackinaw: WAGB 83, 1944–2006 explores the remarkable story of one of the Great Lakes’ most legendary vessels. During this engaging program, Planisek will share stories from her research, discuss the history of the Mackinaw and her crew, and reflect on the ship’s important role on the Great Lakes, offering visitors the chance to learn more about the ship’s legacy and the people who served aboard her. Sandra L. Planisek is an author of local history in Emmet County, Michigan, a... Read More »
Get ready for some “knot”-so-serious nautical fun! Join us aboard the ship for a hands-on program where visitors of all ages can learn the ropes and try their hand at classic maritime knot-tying. Through interactive demonstrations, games, and activities, you’ll discover how sailors used knots every day aboard ships like the Mackinaw. From practical skills to playful challenges, this program is a fun way to connect with maritime traditions while exploring the ship. Perfect for families, curious learners, and anyone who wants to test their knot skills! Events at 10AM, 2PM, and 4PM Included with regular museum admission.
