Museums, galleries & stages / Belle Isle
Dossin Great Lakes Museum
A maritime museum on the Belle Isle shore where you can stand at the wheel of a real Great Lakes freighter.
01 / The story of this place
Make time for these
The museum opened on Belle Isle on July 24, 1960, on the former site of the J.T. Wing, and reopened after a renovation on May 18, 2013. It tells the story of Detroit's role in regional and national shipping. The star is the pilothouse of the freighter S.S. William Clay Ford, where you can take the wheel with the Detroit River out the window. The Gothic Room is the restored smoking lounge of the steamer S.S. City of Detroit III. Out on the lawn sits the bow anchor of the Edmund Fitzgerald. The Detroit Historical Society runs it, the same group behind the Detroit Historical Museum on Woodward.
- On Belle Isle since 1960
- The real pilothouse of the freighter William Clay Ford
- The Gothic Room from the steamer City of Detroit III
- The Edmund Fitzgerald's bow anchor outside
- $5 admission, free under 6
A closer look
Photos were taken at different times; images are resized and cropped on cards.
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¼ · Stay
Sleep right around the corner
Sources & fact check · Checked: 2026-10-23
An independently written bilingual guide. This collection is not an attendance-based ranking.
03 / Events
Events at this place
Published events automatically linked from our event guide. Times are local to the venue.
Nov 8, 2026, 10:00 AMLost Mariners Brunch
Great Lakes historian Joel Stone, Curator Emeritus of the Detroit Historical Society, talks about life aboard a freighter on Sunday, November 8, at 10 a.m. at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit, with balladeer Lee Murdock and a themed brunch. Tickets are $85.
Nov 8, 2026, 3:00 PMLost Mariners Remembrance Ceremony
The Detroit Historical Society and the Great Lakes Maritime Institute honor those lost on the Great Lakes on Sunday, November 8, at 3 p.m. at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit. Admission is free.
Nov 10, 2026, 10:00 AMLost Mariners Day at the Dossin
The Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit opens its doors free of charge on Tuesday, November 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Detroit Historical Society marks the day in remembrance of Great Lakes mariners lost at sea.
Nov 10, 2026, 6:30 PMLost Mariners: An Evening of Remembrance
Detroit Historical Society hosts an evening of remembrance on Tuesday, November 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit, marking 51 years since the Edmund Fitzgerald sank. Expect a documentary screening, a Q&A and warm drinks; tickets are $20 for members, $25 general admission.
Nov 14, 2026, 11:00 AMGuided Tour at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum
The Detroit Historical Society leads a docent-guided tour on Saturday, November 14, at 11 a.m. at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit. Knowledgeable guides walk you through the city's maritime story; museum admission is separate.
Nov 14, 2026, 1:00 PMGuided Tour at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum
A Detroit Historical Society docent leads a guided tour on Saturday, November 14, at 1 p.m. at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit. It's a look at how the city's story is tied to the Great Lakes. The tour is free, but museum admission is separate.
Nov 28, 2026, 11:00 AMGuided Tour at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum
The Detroit Historical Society leads a docent-guided tour at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit on Saturday, November 28, at 11 a.m. Knowledgeable guides dig into the city's maritime story; the tour is free, but museum admission is separate.
Nov 28, 2026, 1:00 PMGuided tour at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum
The Detroit Historical Society leads a docent-guided tour on Saturday, November 28, at 1 p.m. at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit. It's a closer look at how the Great Lakes shaped the city, and the tour itself is free.
Dec 6, 2026, 2:00 PMGuided Tour
Detroit Historical Society hosts a guided tour on Sunday, December 6, at 2 p.m. at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit. Walk the galleries with the folks who preserve the city’s history.
Dec 13, 2026, 2:00 PMGuided Tour
Detroit Historical Society hosts a guided tour on Sunday, December 13, at 2 p.m. at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit. Guided visit with tickets available online.
Dec 20, 2026, 2:00 PMGuided Tour
Detroit Historical Society leads a guided tour on Sunday, December 20, at 2 p.m. at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit. It’s a one-hour walkthrough with expert guidance; get tickets from the organizer.
Dec 27, 2026, 2:00 PMGuided Tour
Detroit Historical Society leads a one-hour guided tour on Sunday, December 27, at 2 p.m. at the Dossin Great Lakes Museum in Detroit. Led by the Society; tickets available from the organizer.
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