These days it may be easier to find a sunken ship in the Great Lakes than operate a tourist attraction.
The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum in Paradise celebrated the former earlier this month with the discovery of the sunken Atlanta, which was found 35 miles from Deer Park in Lake Superior, where it had been sitting in 650 feet of water since 1891.
Museum communications director Corey Adkins estimates there could be another 200-300 shipwrecks still to be discovered in the Great Lakes.
“There’s plenty of mystery still out there,” Adkins said.
But the real challenge, coming after two years of COVID restrictions may be enticing visitors to enjoy all the museum has to offer.
“I’m sure the whole Upper Peninsula is looking at this Ukraine (situation) and gas prices – the whole tourism industry is a little bit scared,” museum communications director Corey Adkins said.
Those who do make it out to the museum will enjoy a newly renovated video theater as well as a pair of popular exhibits in the A.A. Parker and Daniel J. Morrell exhibits.
The latter of which is especially special to the museum because of its relationship with sole survivor Dennis Hale.
The museum found itself only closed for a few weeks because of COVID restrictions, but the rising gas prices could be more of a concern for the tourist destination.
“Its scary, it’s a very scary time, but we will try to provide to anyone comes out a relaxing, educational time,” Adkins said.
