Wisconsin Maritime Museum

Maritime TransportationWisconsin, United States11-50 Employees

Located in Manitowoc, Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Michigan, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum is a cultural and educational institution devoted to the maritime history of Wisconsin and the Great Lakes. The 60,000-square-foot facility houses interactive exhibits, a collection of model ships, an operating steam engine, and displays of historic vessels and marine engines, along with spaces designed for children to learn and play. Founded in 1970 as the Manitowoc Submarine Memorial Association, the museum has grown into a regional leader in preserving maritime heritage and interpreting the roles of sailors, shipbuilders, and submariners connected to the area. It also highlights the submarines built in Manitowoc during World War II, situating its collections within broader Midwest maritime history. 

Its audience includes local residents and visitors seeking educational and family-oriented experiences, with programming that moves beyond static displays to storytelling and interpretation of nautical history. In recent years the museum has expanded its outreach through partnerships and community initiatives, including collaborations on public tours and garden projects, as well as targeted grants such as a Vibrant Spaces Grant awarded in 2025 to support the Captain Carus Maritime Garden.

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