Great Lakes Children's Museum Unveils Shipwreck Exhibit at Grand Traverse Mall

The Great Lakes Children's Museum opened Shipwreck at Curiosity Bay on March 5 at Curiosity Place inside the Grand Traverse Mall, giving Northern Michigan families a chance to climb aboard a handcrafted replica of a real Lake Michigan wreck and try to solve the mystery of its identity.

The exhibit's central hook is deliberate: the museum has declined to name the ship. The replica, described as a smaller version of a vessel resting at the bottom of the Manitou Passage, was built over the past three months by the Maritime Heritage Alliance team and volunteers, the same group that maintains the MHA's fleet of tall ships and has previously built exhibits for the museum. Visitors can pilot the ship, practice knot-tying, examine artifacts and cargo clues, study maps and timelines, and learn about how invasive species like quagga mussels have altered Great Lakes shipwrecks over time.

"This exhibit connects children to place," said Tracie MacPherson, executive director of the Great Lakes Children's Museum. "The Great Lakes are part of who we are in Northern Michigan."

The museum held a members-only preview on February 25 from 5 to 7 p.m., where families with current GLCM memberships could investigate ship design and cargo clues to work out which vessel inspired the exhibit. MSU Federal Credit Union and Shoreline Sound sponsored that evening event.

Museum officials say the exhibit blends STEM learning with imaginative play and supports early literacy, problem-solving, and collaborative play skills across a wide range of ages. Investigation activities are best suited for school-aged children, though all ages are welcome.

The opening adds to what is already a milestone year: the Great Lakes Children's Museum is marking 25 years of hands-on learning in Northern Michigan. The Curiosity Place location at the Grand Traverse Mall, at 3200 W. South Airport Rd., Suite 420, also offers rotating exhibits, educational programs, camps, clubs, birthday parties, special events, and the Power of Play Store.

Admission to Shipwreck at Curiosity Bay is included with daily general admission, which is $9 per person for ages 1 and older. Children under 1 enter free. Active-duty military members and their dependents receive a $3 discount for up to eight people per visit. Curiosity Place is open Sunday and Monday from noon to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets are available at greatlakeskids.org.