National Museum of the Great Lakes
1701 Front St
Toledo, OH 43605
Wednesday, November 9, 2022 | 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Situated on the Detroit River, since 1874 the J.W. Westcott Co. has continuously served the Great Lakes marine community with everything from mail to Amazon deliveries. For our final presentation of the National Museum of the Great Lakes’ 2022 Fall Lecture Series, join J.W. Westcott Co. General Manager Sam Buchanan for a comprehensive look at the company’s long history as the world’s first non-military floating postal ZIP code—48222.
ABOUT THE LECTURE: Since 1874, the J.W. Westcott Company has continuously served the Great Lakes marine community with everything from mail to Amazon deliveries and made its historic mark as the world’s first non-military floating postal ZIP code—48222. Yet, the J.W. Westcott story actually begins on December 19, 1848, with the birth of John Ward Westcott to a prominent Michigan shipping family. As a boy, John worked in his father’s boat yard and in 1861 went on to be a cabin boy. By age 20, John earned his master’s papers, becoming (at the time) the youngest captain on the Great Lakes. As a Master, Westcott understood the challenges that shipping vessels faced including lack of ship to shore and shore to ship communications. Westcott sought to remedy this communication problem by establishing the J.W. Westcott Company and “mail in the pail”.
This past summer, NMGL did a temporary exhibit about the history of the Westcott Company. For our last presentation of our 2022 Fall Lecture Series, we’ll take a comprehensive look at the company’s long history as the only floating USPS Zip Code in the United States.
Join us for the final presentation of our 2022 fall lecture series. Offered as a hybrid event, participants can choose when registering to take part in person at the museum or online via Zoom.
ABOUT THE PRESENTER: Sam Buchanan is the General Manager of the J.W. Westcott Company and has worked for the company for over 37 years.
This lecture is free, but registration is required. Donations are always happily accepted.
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