Today, Lake Erie is heralded as one of the world's busiest inland waterways. Its not a rarity to see ships large and small on the Lake's horizon, people wading along it's tempered shores, and beautiful sunsets which burn the horizon facing west. Despite all of this, the Lake is known as "the world's worst tempered lake". Home to hundreds of shipwrecks, the lake which, as Charles Dickens wrote, was essentially "a giant puddle", and has stirred up plenty of storms.

In an effort to begin protecting the shores of the Great Lakes and the country's seaboards, the United States government authorized the US Life-Saving Service in June 1878. In this special three-part lecture series, the Erie Maritime Museum is thrilled to welcome Commander Timothy R. Dring, USNR (Retired) as he introduces the US Life-Saving Service and the formation of the US Coast Guard. Moderated by Erie Maritime Museum Educator Charles Johnson, this FREE lecture series will be broken into three separate events:

1) Introduction to the History of the Life-Saving Service
2) Station Presque Isle
3) USCG Operations During the Prohibition

To attend, please register for all three! Space is limited, registration required.