Floating Palaces of the Great Lakes

With Joel Stone

Through much of the 19th century, steam-powered ships provided one of the most reliable and comfortable transportation options in the United States, becoming a critical partner in railroad expansion and the heart of a thriving recreation industry. The aesthetic, structural, and commercial peak of the steamboat era occurred on the Great Lakes, where palatial ships created memories and livelihoods for millions while taking passengers between the region’s major industrial ports. Join Joel Stone, curator of the Dossin Great Lakes Museum, while we take a look at the rich history of the Great Lakes’ floating palaces.