Main Collections and USS Cobia
Located on the Lake Michigan shoreline in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the museum focuses on Great Lakes maritime history, regional shipwrecks, and local industrial shipbuilding. Its primary exhibit is the USS Cobia, a World War II Gato-class submarine moored outside the facility since 1970. The submarine has been restored to its wartime configuration, featuring an operational SJ radar system—one of the oldest functioning radar setups in the world. The museum offers guided tours and overnight stay programs aboard the vessel.
Indoor galleries include a model ship collection, interactive children’s exhibits, and displays covering Great Lakes navigation and maritime trades.
World War II History
Manitowoc served as a major manufacturing hub during World War II, with the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company building 28 submarines and numerous Landing Craft Tanks (LCTs) for the U.S. Navy. The museum’s “Turning the Tide” exhibit details the city’s defense manufacturing output and the role local LCTs played in amphibious landings, including D-Day. The exhibit combines oral history interviews from military veterans with scale models and period artifacts.
Expansion and Local Programs
Community Events: Regular programming includes the annual Tiny Art Show, featuring maritime-themed work by local artists, and the Mariners Trail photo contest along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
Heritage Center Expansion: The museum is expanding operations to a site at 1221 Franklin Street. The new Wisconsin Maritime Heritage Center facility includes a conservation laboratory, a boatbuilding shop, and outdoor exhibit areas integrated into downtown Manitowoc’s redevelopment plan.
A ‘Must See’ Destination
For those interested in diving deeper into maritime history or supporting this beacon of educational and cultural heritage, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum invites you to explore, learn, and engage. Whether through a visit, participation in events, or contributing to its expansion projects, there’s an opportunity for everyone to connect with the rich maritime tapestry of Wisconsin. For more information, visit Wisconsin Maritime Museum or explore the broader maritime history of Manitowoc at Wisconsin Historical Society.
