About Us

Group Outline

The Northeastern Maritime Historical Foundation was created in the Spring of 2003 to "save" a list of commercial vessels with significant historical value to the Great Lakes, East Coast and their link, the Erie Canal. Our goal is to gain ownership of these vessels, preserve, rehabilitate or restore them to operating condition and then place them on public display and for operational use in educational programs. In the 1950's steam locomotives were dying out fast and entire steam "scrap trains" were heading off to the breakers. Few thought to save them earlier than that period, as they were a common sight. Today we are at that same "end of an era" with steam propulsion in freighters, single screw tugboats, and commercial fishing tugs. They are all dying out fast. The Northeastern Maritime Historical Foundation has been organized to obtain as many of these vessels as possible and, over time, develop a large museum display of still-functioning commercial vessels, sort of a marine version of "Steam Town". This webpage is a preliminary site while we are developing a more in depth website that will include a detailed roster of our equipment and files detailing the history of over 6,000 vessels.

The Northeastern Maritime Historical Foundation is a Wisconsin non-stock, non-profit corporation. The officers and board of directors consist entirely of industry professionals and marine historians. They are familiar with the industry in every aspect and all share the common love for our rich maritime heritage. Anyone willing to help can contact us via email at: contact@northeasternmaritime.org