Last month, we shared the story of a small boat from the reconstructed sloop Welcome, which was transferred to MSHP from the Maritime Heritage Alliance of Traverse City. A few weeks later, our staff returned to Traverse City pick up two large models of Welcome. The MHA is streamlining their historic maritime collection of small craft and interpretive objects, and MSHP and the Maritime Heritage Alliance have a long history of collaborating to preserve and interpret Great Lakes maritime history.
As noted in our earlier blog post, the MHA acquired the full-sized Welcome in 1992. After many years of intensive repairs, the group restored Welcome as an operable vessel, sailing her around the Great Lakes to educate the public about the region’s maritime history. During the same period, MHA member Howard Byrne built two large models of the sloop. One displays the internal hull framing, while the other depicts the fully-rigged Welcome. This impressive model measures over seven feet long and stands just under seven feet tall. Bill Horning and Jim Gracyk, both MHA members and sailors who served aboard the reconstructed Welcome, worked to repair, re-rig, and stabilize the larger model prior to shipping to Mackinaw City. Laura Quackenbush, curator and MHA member, helped facilitate the transfer, and several other members helped our staff load the delicate pieces for the move from Traverse City.
We once again thank the Maritime Heritage Alliance for their generosity in transferring these models to Mackinac State Historic Parks, and for helping to further our shared goal of preserving and interpreting the rich maritime history of the upper Great Lakes. If you would like to learn more about the historic sloop Welcome, as well as the modern reconstruction that served as a museum for both MSHP and the MHA, a new publication is forthcoming in 2025!
