Wisconsin Maritime Museum | Green Bay

The Wisconsin Maritime Museum, located at 75 Maritime Drive in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, is the largest maritime museum on the Great Lakes and a Smithsonian Affiliate. Established in 1969, it serves as a premier destination dedicated to preserving and interpreting Wisconsin’s rich maritime heritage, especially its shipbuilding history and the region’s connection to naval service. The museum is renowned for its extensive collections, interactive exhibits, and the centerpiece attraction- the USS Cobia, a fully restored World War II Gato-class submarine.

Detailed Overview

Exhibits and Attractions

USS Cobia: The museum’s flagship exhibit is the USS Cobia, one of the few remaining WWII submarines open to the public. Visitors can tour the submarine’s tight quarters, engineering rooms, torpedo tubes, and crew areas, gaining firsthand insight into the life of Navy personnel during wartime. The submarine is open for tours year-round except for scheduled maintenance periods.

Wisconsin’s Shipwreck Coasts: This exhibit explores the numerous shipwrecks scattered along Wisconsin’s Great Lakes coastlines. Artifacts recovered from these wrecks, stories of maritime disasters, and underwater archaeology are highlighted to emphasize the perils and history of Great Lakes shipping.

Turning the Tide: Focusing on Manitowoc’s vital role in producing Landing Craft Tanks (LCTs) during WWII, this exhibit details how these vessels supported major amphibious assaults such as D-Day. It includes historical context, shipbuilding artifacts, and multimedia presentations.

Adriatic & the Birth of Self-Unloaders: This exhibit traces the evolution of self-unloading technology in shipping, featuring salvaged equipment and historical narratives centered on the shipwreck of the Adriatic.

Maritime History Gallery: A comprehensive display of Manitowoc’s shipbuilding industry history, including scale models, photographs, and interpretive panels that trace the city’s maritime economic development over the centuries.

Model Ship Gallery: Features highly detailed scale models and dioramas, including the famous Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck, showcasing ship design and maritime engineering.

Chief Wawatam Steam Engine: A massive 65-ton steam engine salvaged from an early 20th-century Great Lakes ice-breaking ferry, illustrating the evolution of marine propulsion.

Interactive Exhibits: The museum includes family-friendly, hands-on exhibits such as the Waterways Room and Little Lakefarers Room. These spaces engage children with maritime concepts like locks, dams, navigation, and aquatic ecosystems in an educational, playful manner.

Riverwalk Outdoor Exhibit: Located outside the museum, this exhibit offers scenic views of the Manitowoc River and informative displays about the Great Lakes' natural and cultural environment.

Programs and Services

The Wisconsin Maritime Museum offers educational programs for schools and groups, guided tours, special events, and workshops related to maritime history and conservation. Its outreach extends to regional communities, fostering appreciation of maritime heritage through interactive learning and cultural celebrations.

Visitor Information

Hours: Summer (Memorial Day to October 1) daily 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM; off-season hours vary, typically 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on select days.

Admission: General admission is $20; youth (ages 4–12) $13; seniors, veterans, active military $17; children under 4 free. A discounted rate is available through the Museums for All program.

Accessibility: The museum provides accommodations for visitors with disabilities, including accessible entrances and restrooms.

Location and Contact

Address: 75 Maritime Drive, Manitowoc, WI 54220

Phone: (920) 684-0218 or (866) 724-2356

Nearest Major City

The nearest major city to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum is Green Bay, Wisconsin, located approximately 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of Manitowoc. Green Bay is a significant urban center in northeastern Wisconsin, known for its port, cultural institutions, and professional sports team, the Green Bay Packers. Green Bay offers broader transportation options and amenities for visitors traveling to the museum region.

This detailed overview emphasizes the Wisconsin Maritime Museum’s role as a comprehensive cultural institution that preserves maritime history through immersive exhibits, educational outreach, and hands-on experiences, making it a key destination for maritime enthusiasts and families interested in the Great Lakes region.