MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The Marquette Maritime Museum has received an $1,800 “History Alliance” grant from the Historical Society of Michigan
With the money the museum will buy protective glass covers and other archival equipment to sort and catalogue an extensive collection it received from Fred Stonehouse, a well-known maritime historian.
Hilary Billman the director of the Maritime Museum said the collection represents an important part of UP history. “There’s only one Fred Stonehouse, and there’s only one set of Fred Stonehouse research material,” said Billman. “So this is very significant the state of Michigan, Upper Peninsula, and maritime history, so being able to protect it correctly and organize it, that’s our focus right now.”
The museum will begin archiving the research over the summer, but as it is a large collection, Billman said it likely won’t be available to the public for several years.