Local Historian Presents 50th Anniversary Commemoration Program
Grand Marais, MN, October 1, 2025 — The Grand Marais Public Library will host local historian, diver, and lighthouse keeper Jim Shinners for a special public program, Shipwrecked: Edmund Fitzgerald, on Friday, November 7 from 5:30–7:30 PM. The event is free and open to all.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the largest ship sailing the Great Lakes at the time. The loss of the vessel and her crew remains one of the most storied tragedies in Great Lakes maritime history.
The loss of the vessel and her crew remains one of the most storied tragedies in Great Lakes maritime history.
“As we reach fifty years, this is a significant moment of remembrance,” Shinners notes. “Many of the individuals closest to the ship, the storm, and the search are still with us today. By the 75th anniversary, most first-hand voices will be gone. This commemoration matters.”
Shinners, an avid sailor, diver, and shipwreck researcher, has spent decades studying Great Lakes maritime history. He currently serves as a Lake Michigan lighthouse keeper and is known for his ability to bring history to life through human stories, technical insight, and on-the-water experience. His presentation weaves history, personal stories, archival material, and diving insight to explore what the wreck continues to mean for Great Lakes identity, memory, and stewardship. Audience members can expect a thoughtful and immersive experience, with time reserved for conversation and questions.
All library events are free and open to the community. No registration is required. To learn about other upcoming programs, reserve a meeting room, or inquire about getting a library card, call the Grand Marais Public Library at 218-387-1140, or visit grandmaraislibrary.org.
