The National Museum of the Great Lakes is pleased to partner with CHG Consulting to offer lectures for public and private functions and groups, in-person or virtually.
About our Speaker: Emeritus Director Christopher Gillcrist, founder of CHG Consulting, was the Executive Director of the National Museum of the Great Lakes and Great Lakes Historical Society for over 20 years. Gillcrist is an award winning historian who has given over 450 public presentations over the last two decades. Gillcrist has spoken before libraries, museums, historical societies, genealogy groups and for corporate clients.
Click here to request a speaker or contact 419-214-5000 ext. 210.
In-person Program: Rates start at $175 and increase based on mileage and time required for the program.
Virtual – $125
Explore true crime and mystery on the Great Lakes including murder, manslaughter, and criminal negligence. From the Eastland Disaster that killed 844 to the federal government’s role in the assassination of King Strang, this program covers infamous events and unknown tragedies across the Great Lakes over a 100 years.
Since Europeans came to the Great Lakes region over 400 years ago, they have impacted the natural world. This program explores both the intentional and the unintentional effects of the European presence on the Great Lakes. Explore the impact on beavers, lake trout, waterfowl and water purity as well as the important issue of how invasive species have and will continue to impact our Great Lakes ecosystem.
Explore the origins and development of one of the Great Lakes greatest, and longest running, holiday maritime traditions—The Alexander Cook Holiday Card. For 56 years, Cook completed a marine drawing or watercolor to be used by the Great Lakes Historical Society/National Museum of the Great Lakes for a holiday card to raise money for the organization. Choosing different holiday or winter scenes from across the Great Lakes, Cook entertained thousands who collected each card annually or sent the card to family and friends across the world. This program takes the participant on a holiday journey across the lakes using Cook’s card as the magical holiday sleigh!
From a hot air balloonist to a Tuskegee Airman—from fighter planes chasing a UFO to civilians jumping out of a B-25 Mitchell Bomber—explore the unbelievable air disasters that have occurred over the past 175 years across the Great Lakes including the still unsolved and undiscovered Northwest Airlines Flight 2501, which was lost in Lake Michigan. And don’t forget the Cleveland Balloon Fest of 1986!
Everyone has heard of the tragic tale of the Edmund Fitzgerald but join the speaker on a journey detailing an incredible review of Fitzgerald events that have nothing to do with the causes of the sinking. Explore how and why debris from the Fitzgerald wreck ended up where it is today. Discover how the United States Coast Guard “lost” the Fitzgerald’s bell and investigate the recently claimed “phantom” distress call of the Fitzgerald. Hear the story of the Ohio resident who was scheduled to take the fateful trip but did not.
In 1967, 18 parachutists jumped from a B-25 Mitchell Bomber. They thought they were over their target in Erie County Ohio but were actually over Lake Erie. Sixteen of the parachutists drowned in Lake Erie. Follow the tragic events, the investigations that followed and the heart tugging stories of those who lost their life, who miraculously survived and who luckily did not make the jump.
For over 93 of his 99 years, Alexander Cook drew, painted, cartooned, carved, modeled, and collaged the maritime world of the Great Lakes. Join the speaker on a journey exploring the maritime art of one of the 20th centuries most celebrated Great Lakes’ marine artists.
Since the American Revolution, the Great Lakes have influenced the outcome of almost all of the major military conflicts fought here or abroad. Explore how American Colonial POW’s were lost in the sinking of HMS Ontario on Lake Ontario in 1780. Learn why the Battle of Lake Erie was the most important naval battle in American history prior to 1942. See how the first iron ship in the United States Navy stopped the most northern action by confederates in the Civil War. Learn how the Great Lakes turned the tide in WW I, WW II and the Cold War, including the submarines of Manitowoc Wisconsin, and the Nike Missile Systems across the Great Lakes.
Join the speaker for a rollicking tour of how fame and fortune played out in significant and sometimes trivial—but always fascinating—ways on the Great Lakes. Learn how the “Sound of New Years” won the 1946 Gold Cup Hydroplane Race on the Detroit River and how a boat on Lake Superior became the Flagship of the United States Navy for one day during WWII. See how “The Mouth of the South” Ted Turner was humiliated by the winds of Lake Michigan and how one of the legends of the NFL almost became a casualty on the famed Eastland. Learn how not one but two Major League Baseball commentators began their career on Great Lakes freighters and so much more.
We will explore a brief history of shipping on the Great Lakes that lead up to the impressive Edmund Fitzgerald. She had an exciting life during the 18 years that she sailed, often carrying record breaking loads. Her loss on November 10, 1975 still puzzles many to this day. We will explore several of the prevailing theories on her loss.
Host a special screening of A Good Ship and Crew Well Seasoned: The Fitzgerald and Her Legacy, the National Museum of the Great Lakes’ original documentary produced with Allied Communications, Inc. This powerful film uncovers the lesser-known history of the Fitzgerald and its crew through unpublished manuscripts, rare photographs, and personal stories, and can be paired with a live or virtual Q&A with producer Chris Gillcrist.
Ten of the most important national stories that came from the Great Lakes. Learn more about the National Museum of the Great Lakes with our very own Top Ten list!
This talk follows the entire stream of the archaeologist, from research, to discovery, to investigation, and finally to analysis and publication. Along the way examples of Lake Erie shipwrecks are used to highlight each step.
Hear about the life of Col. James M. Schoonmaker, the inspiration behind the construction of the “Queen of the Lakes” in 1911. His tale includes Civil War heroics, dealings with Iron Ore and the Coke Industry, his long-term friendship with William P. Snyder, and the Lake Erie Railroad Company.
A thorough history of travel on the Great Lakes, either for immigration or enjoyment, from the 19th century schooners to the lavish steamboats of the early 20th century.
Take a look at the history of the Battle and the work that GLHS is doing to attempt to identify the battlefield. We will also look at other War of 1812 Naval archaeological sites around the Great Lakes.
Join us for a historical and cultural re-examination of piracy and it implications for understanding Great Lakes history. No parrots, or peg legs, included but a healthy dose of thievery, mutiny, and other unsavory tales.
The story of the worst day in commercial shipping on Lake Erie, four ships were lost and over 50 lives.
This talk explores the history of shipping on the Great Lakes and showcases resources for people interested in Genealogical research.
This talk takes a look at the history and the mystery behind the sinking of the Marquette and Bessemer No.2, which occurred on December 7, 1909.
Commemorate the loss of the Titanic with this overview presentation of the ship, its building, first trip, and sinking. Throughout we will look at Great Lakes connections to this story.
A highlight of how the Great Lakes were protected during World War II by the use of sailors in the Coast Guard Temporary Reserve.
Learn about three Lake Erie shipwrecks that have a tie to Toledo: they were built here, it was the last port of call, or it was the intended port of call.
