Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan Executive Director Christine Witulski

1. ALL SUCCESSFUL
PROJECTS START
WITH A…

2. Conversation
 In 2012 a conversation took place
between the Michigan Maritime
Museum in South Haven and
the Besser Museum in Alpena.
 The topic discussed was the
problem each institution was
experiencing with trying to
preserve and exhibit their
historic fishing tugs.
 That conversation initiated a
gathering of individuals from
around Michigan interested in
telling the stories of the Great
Lakes fisheries, commercial
fishing and the fishing tugs.
This was the condition of the Katherine V located at the
Besser Museum when the conversation took place.
The Evelyn S is located at the Michigan Maritime Museum
in South Haven, Michigan.

3. Common interest
 At that meeting the Great
Lakes Fisheries Heritage
Consortium was formed.
 Leading the Consortium
was Brandon Schroeder,
MSU Sea Grant Extension
Educator. Brandon’s
passion for the “life of the
lakes”, and his network of
professionals proved
beneficial to the formation
of the Consortium. Brandon Schroeder

4. Heritage
 Michigan’s fisheries
heritage is as rich as it is
diverse.
From:
 Native American fishing
 Commercial fishing
 Sports fishing
 And continues with the
ongoing efforts to
maintain the health of our
Great Lakes ecosystem

5. Community Commitment
Tuffy Cross led the volunteers to completionHigh School Students participate through GLSI
Multi-generational participation Husband and wife team rebuilding the rub rail

6. Restoration
Volunteers worked in the rain and snow
To painting
From woodwork
Volunteers put in hundreds of hours

7. Restoration
Commitment Passion
Teamwork Pride

8. Restoration
The volunteers showed up every Tuesday And Thursday
Tackling each and every task needed To prepare the Katherine V for exhibit

9. AMAZING PROGRESS!
The Katherine V will be the centerpiece of the new Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Exhibit and a destination on the Trail.

10. Exhibit Plans

11. Kahlenberg Engine
Dave Robertson, diesel mechanic
The Kahlenberg Engine was removed before transporting the
fishing tug from Rogers City to the Besser Museum in Alpena in
2000. After sitting for almost 12 years, Dave Robertson contacted
the museum and expressed his interest in rebuilding the engine
with the hopes of have it run again. The engine was moved to
Dave’s workshop in Hillman, where he has been working
diligently on the project. The plans are to have a separate display
for the engine.

12. Stories
 The Besser Museum,
Alpena High School
Students, the Brush
Creek Mill Museum, and
the George N. Fletcher
Alpena County Library
have been working
together on capturing
the stories of commercial
fishermen.
 Call of the Lakes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q3w7IZBwXP8

13. Fundraisers
The same volunteers working on the
restoration of the Katherine V, also
helped with the fundraisers. To date,
the Besser Museum has held two
Fisheries Heritage White Fish Dinner
Fundraisers.
These events were used as a time to
celebrate the progress being made by
a handful of dedicated volunteers.
It was also a time to remind our
supporters of the importance of our
Great Lakes fisheries heritage and the
significance of Northeast Michigan’s
role in the state-wide Michigan Great
Lakes Fisheries Heritage Trail.

14. On-Going Work
 The Besser Museum has applied,
and is waiting to hear if we will be
awarded a National Park Service
Maritime Heritage Grant to help
with the construction of the replica
fishing village.
 Alpena High School students
developed a brochure to help
generate funds for the Katherine V
project
 A third Fisheries Heritage White
Fish Dinner Fundraiser is being
planned for next year.
 The oral history project continues to
grow as individuals contact the
Besser Museum with fisheries
related stories and research projects.
14 year old Tuffy Cross in the engine room of the Richard W
owned by Alfred Nordstrand. The Kahlenberg engine is
similar to what was used on the Katherine V.