SS City of Milwaukee

05/29/2026

Our campaign is off to a strong start! Thank you to everyone who has already contributed to the effort. We still have a long way to go, but are making progress behind the scenes in grant writing and logistics.

https://www.mlive.com/life/2026/05/1m-campaign-to-preserve-1931-car-ferry-off-to-a-strong-start.html

The S.S. City of Milwaukee could leave Manistee for drydock work in 2028.

05/26/2026

🚢🚘Join Us for a Full Day of Fun at the S.S. City of Milwaukee!

Mark your calendars for our annual fundraiser event aboard the historic S.S. City of Milwaukee in Manistee! From classic cars and the silent auction to a presentation and documentary premiere, there’s something for everyone throughout the day!

Saturday, June 20th, 2026; 99 Arthur St, Manistee, MI

Anchors & Axles Car Show:
- 8:30am – Registration Opens ($10/vehicle)
- 9:00am – Car Show Begins
- Public voting is FREE, and awards 1st - 5th place awards will be presented at 3:00pm

Silent Auction
- Opens at 10:00am on the Car Deck
- Features nautical items, local goods, memorabilia, and more
- Closes at 4:00pm

Homemade Lasagna Lunch Onboard
- 12:30pm on the Passenger Deck
- $20 per person

Evening Presentation
- 5:15pm – Richard Gebhart, author, presentation on famed naval architect Frank E. Kirby

- Documentary Premiere
- 7:15pm – “Railroad on Water: The Legend of the S.S. Badger”
- $15 admission

Throughout the day:
- Explore one of the last remaining railroad car ferries in the world
- Enjoy the atmosphere of a National Historic Landmark
- Food, history, automobiles, and maritime heritage all in one place!

We strongly encourage everyone to RSVP for lunch and the documentary, and view full details online at:
www.carferry.com/95

All proceeds support the ongoing preservation and restoration of the historic S.S. City of Milwaukee.

05/24/2026

We pause to remember and honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice preserved the freedoms we enjoy today, and we are forever grateful for their courage and dedication.

This Memorial Day, we invite you to step aboard the historic S.S. City of Milwaukee and reflect on the generations of Americans who served both at sea and ashore throughout our nation’s history.

We will be OPEN on Memorial Day, Monday 5/25, from 11:00am–3:00pm for guided tours. Come explore one of the last remaining railroad car ferries in the world and experience a unique piece of Great Lakes maritime history.

We wish everyone a safe and meaningful Memorial Day.

05/16/2026

Join us for a full day of history, cars, food, and entertainment at the annual fundraiser aboard the historic S.S. City of Milwaukee!

Saturday, June 20th, 2026
All proceeds support the ongoing preservation and restoration of the S.S. City of Milwaukee and USCGC Acacia museum ships.

Anchors & Axles Car Show, in conjunction with Wander In
- Registration begins at 8:30am; $10 per vehicle
- Car show runs 9am–3pm
- Public admission and voting are FREE
- Awards presented at 3pm

Silent Auction
Beginning at 10am on the car deck, featuring nautical memorabilia, local items, gift baskets, and more! Auction closes at 4pm.

Lasagna Lunch Onboard
12:30pm on the passenger deck; $20/person
Enjoy a delicious lunch onboard a National Historic Landmark! The luncheon will include homemade meat and cheese lasagna, garlic bread, salad, a cookie, and a choice of drink, made fresh by Ann Lind.

Special Presentation – Frank Kirby
At 5:15pm, maritime historian and author Richard Gebhardt will present on legendary naval architect Frank Kirby, designer of many iconic Great Lakes vessels.

Documentary Premiere
At 7:15pm, join us for the premiere screening of Railroad on Water: The Legend of the SS Badger by DIB Productions.
Admission: $15/person

Bring your friends, family, and fellow history lovers down to the ship for a fun-filled day supporting the preservation of Great Lakes history. All members of the public are welcome. We hope to see you onboard!

For full event details, ticket information, and to RSVP online, please visit:
www.carferry.com/95

We strongly encourage everyone planning to attend the lunch and/or documentary premiere, to RSVP online in advance to help us prepare for the event as both will be limited.

05/16/2026

Its been a non stop parade of this years Tightlines For Troops participants on the way to their dinner. What a great view we have from inside our giftshop. Hope you all had a great time on the lake!

05/11/2026

Congratulations to Titus Lind on graduating from Michigan Technological University with a Bachelor of Science in Geospatial Engineering!

Titus currently serves on our organization’s Board of Directors, is a former docent, and has been volunteering aboard the ships for nearly 9 years. Titus has accepted a position with Gourdie-Fraser, Inc. in Traverse City, Michigan, as a Surveyor in Training, and he is excited to finally be a little closer to the ships. Congratulations, Titus! Husky Up!

05/09/2026

To celebrate all of the special mothers in our lives, we are offering free tours of the ships for all moms on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10, 2026, from 11 AM to 3 PM.

Bring Mom down to experience history and enjoy a unique day aboard the historic ships in Manistee!

www.carferry.com

05/07/2026

We had a successful opening weekend! Thank you to everyone who came out for a tour, we truly appreciate your support and are excited for another great season aboard the ships!

We would also like to thank Manistee Tourism the Manistee County Tourism Authority for visiting us and allowing our organization to participate in the Local Stoke program. The program provided valuable information that will help our crew better answer questions about Manistee County and enhance the experience for our visitors!

As a reminder, we will also be open this weekend on Saturday and Sunday from 11am - 3pm. We hope to see you soon!

www.carferry.com

04/30/2026

After a long, cold winter, we’re excited to welcome you back aboard! We officially open for the season this Saturday at 11 AM. Join us for tours and visit the gift shop beginning this weekend from 11 AM to 3 PM on both Saturday and Sunday.

For tour details, pricing, and additional hours, please visit: www.carferry.com/tours

We hope to see you onboard this summer!

www.carferry.com
99 Arthur Street, Manistee, MI, 49660
231-723-3587

04/10/2026

🔗 https://l.mlive.com/500sxl
Aboard the S.S. City of Milwaukee, you can combine maritime history, gorgeous views and an an overnight stay reminiscent of a bygone era. The 360-foot retired Great Lakes car ferry is a museum and a “boatel” all at once.

04/10/2026

We are looking forward to another wonderful summer on board!

The historic S.S. City of Milwaukee will soon open for summer boatel stays and museum tours.