Maritime Heritage Minnesota

Maritime Heritage Minnesota (MHM) is a 501.c.(3) non-profit incorporated in July 2005 for scientific and educational activities in the State of Minnesota for the documentation, preservation, and conservation of finite maritime archaeological and cultural resources.

Hundreds of wrecks and related maritime archaeological sites rest within the boundaries of the State of Minnesota in its lakes, rivers, and streams. Included in this list is the historically significant Naval wreck, the Donald McKay designed and constructed screw sloop USS Essex located in Duluth.

MHM assessed Essex in September 2008 to determine the wreck's current condition. In August 2008 MHM conducted a nautical archaeological assessment of Swan and Andy Gibson, two wrecks in the Mississippi River near Aitkin, MN, and submitted a report to the Minnesota State Archaeologist and the National Register Archaeologist in the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office. Other important wrecks such as the Twin City Rapid Transit Company Streetcar Boats Como, White Bear, and Hopkins lie in Lake Minnetonka west of Minneapolis, along with the wrecks of the tug Hercules, side-wheeler Minneapolis, stern-wheeler Excelsior, and others. In 2007 MHM conducted a summer field school for kids on Big Island in Lake Minnetonka, exposing a great group of youngsters to archaeological methods and theory while excavating Mission style arch bases still buried under the surface from the 1906 Big Island Amusement Park. Another historically important wreck is the unique lumber steamer Bull of the Woods found in Burntside Lake near Ely.

MHM's goal is to educate students, scholars, and citizens about the importance of our maritime heritage and preserve or stabilize sites as needed to prevent deterioration and destruction, particularly from unlawful human activity.

MHM also archives manuscript materials, books, and rare books concerning Minnesota’s maritime culture, nautical and maritime archaeological sites, and terrestrial archaeology.