The museum operates a fully functional 1810-replica Great Lakes sloop, the Friends Good Will, which was constructed specifically for educational sailing.
The campus serves as the permanent home for the US Coast Guard Motor Lifeboat 36460, a historic rescue craft.
The museum maintains an extensive archive of Great Lakes boat-building plans and maritime photography.
South Haven's role in the development of the commercial fruit-shipping industry on the Great Lakes is a focal point of the museum’s regional history exhibits.
The museum facility is situated on the site of the former South Haven lighthouse service maintenance station.
The Michigan Maritime Museum is the primary institution for preserving and interpreting the maritime history of the Great Lakes in South Haven. The museum occupies a multi-building campus along the Black River, showcasing the region's connection to commercial, recreational, and industrial water-based life. Key collections include artifacts from regional lighthouses, shipwrecks, and the history of Great Lakes navigation. The campus features an active fleet of historic vessels, including the Friends Good Will, a replica 19th-century topsail sloop. Exhibits cover topics ranging from early maritime commerce to the evolution of boat building in Michigan. Educational programs are conducted throughout the year, focusing on nautical skills and local history. The museum serves as an essential repository for data regarding the Great Lakes maritime ecosystem and its human impact.
The waterfront dock area, with the Friends Good Will sloop and the South Haven lighthouse in the background.
Check the museum's sailing schedule in advance if you wish to see or book a ride on the historic tall ship.
Allow extra time to walk the adjacent Black River piers for views of the South Haven lighthouse.
Visit the gift shop for locally sourced maritime-themed books and regional history publications.
Don't assume all historic vessels are available for boarding; check specific vessel accessibility before arriving.
The museum maintains reduced operational capacity or limited facility access during the winter season.
