Written by: Kendahl Plank
Updated: 10/28/2025
This November marks fifty years since the sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald, one of the Great Lakes’ most enduring and mysterious maritime tragedies. On November 10, 1975, during a fierce storm on Lake Superior, the massive freighter went down with all 29 crew members aboard. The story of the Fitzgerald has captivated generations, immortalized in Gordon Lightfoot’s haunting ballad “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”
Known as the “Toledo Express” because many of her crew and captain called Toledo home, the ship’s story carries deep local meaning. As the 50th anniversary approaches, the National Museum of the Great Lakes (NMGL) invites visitors to honor this legacy through a powerful weekend of remembrance, reflection, and education from Friday, November 7 through Monday, November 10, 2025.
A Weekend of Tribute and Reflection
Toledo will host a series of special events commemorating the anniversary, blending history, music, storytelling, and community connection.
Guided Fitzgerald Tours Aboard the Col. James M. Schoonmaker
All Weekend Long
Step aboard the Schoonmaker Museum Ship and explore what life was like on a Great Lakes freighter. These guided tours offer insight into the challenges the Fitzgerald’s crew faced, with stories that bring the era to life. Admission is included with registration.
Fitzgerald Beer Launch and Honorary Dinner at Quenched & Tempered Brewery
Friday, November 7 | 3 – 9 p.m.
Raise a glass to history with the debut of “The Toledo Express,” a collaboration copper ale brewed in honor of the Fitzgerald. Enjoy the same “last meal” once served aboard the ship—chicken paprikash—along with live music from 7 to 9 p.m.
Book Signing: The Legend Lives On: S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald
Saturday, November 8 | 2 – 3 p.m.
Meet maritime photographer and author Christopher Winters at NMGL as he signs the newly released 50th anniversary edition of his book, featuring new photographs and reflections on the ship’s enduring story.
Meredith Moon Live at the Valentine Theatre
Sunday, November 9 | 7 p.m.
Experience a moving tribute concert from Meredith Moon, daughter of Gordon Lightfoot. Her performance honors her father’s legacy and the song that helped keep the memory of the Fitzgerald alive.
Documentary Screening: A Good Ship and Crew Well Seasoned
Monday, November 10 | 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Catch screenings of this NMGL-produced documentary throughout the day, exploring the ship’s history, its crew, and the lasting impact of their story.
Guest Panel and Anniversary Ceremony
Monday, November 10 | 6 p.m.
The museum will host a heartfelt evening of remembrance featuring historians, journalists, and those personally connected to the tragedy. The ceremony will conclude at the exact moment the Fitzgerald was lost, offering a moment of reflection for all in attendance.
Extend Your Stay in Toledo
Make your visit a full weekend experience with special lodging offers and local attractions. Hotel Royal, a beautifully restored historic hotel near the Maumee River, is offering 15% off with the code FITZGERALD50.
Between events, explore Toledo’s waterfront heritage. Visit the National Museum of the Great Lakes to see the only one of the Fitzgerald’s recovered life rafts on public display, and try the museum’s interactive shipwreck simulator, which lets visitors virtually explore the wreck site.
Private tours, educational presentations, and documentary screenings are also available year-round for groups and organizations interested in delving deeper into the Fitzgerald’s story.
Honoring the Legacy
This anniversary is more than a remembrance of tragedy, it’s a celebration of Great Lakes history, maritime innovation, and the human stories that connect us to these waters. Toledo, with its strong ties to the ship and her crew, stands as the ideal place to honor their memory.
Plan your visit to Toledo this November to be part of a powerful 50th anniversary tribute that bridges the past and present, ensuring the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald continues to live on.
Learn more and plan your visit at the National Museum of the Great Lakes »
