For nearly 10 years TADL’s Woodmere (Main) Branch has proudly hosted Welcome, a replica of a historic 1774, 55-foot sloop. This summer it will return home to the Maritime Heritage Alliance in Greilickville to prepare for a new digital display at the Great Lakes Children's Museum later this year.
Over the years, many library visitors and staff have admired the craftsmanship of MHA volunteer and model extraordinaire, Howard Byrne. Byrne, a retired postmaster, has been building models ever since he was a young boy. He spent about two years building Welcome in his workshop at his home. ”It’s the biggest model I’ve ever built,” he said. Built to scale and with great detail, the interior of Welcome is complete with bunks.
Over the years, many library visitors and staff have admired the craftsmanship of MHA volunteer and model extraordinaire, Howard Byrne. Byrne, a retired postmaster, has been building models ever since he was a young boy. He spent about two years building Welcome in his workshop at his home. ”It’s the biggest model I’ve ever built,” he said. Built to scale and with great detail, the interior of Welcome is complete with bunks.
The 55-foot Welcome, which carries four cannons, is a replica of a vessel that built in 1774 by a merchant at Fort Michilimackinac, purchased by the British military in 1778 and lost in a 1781 storm. In December of 1992, the MHA became her custodian with the goal to rebuild the replica, make her seaworthy, and continue their mission of preserving and interpreting Great Lakes maritime history.
"We have been honored to host the Welcome over the years," said Metta T. Lansdale Jr., TADL Director. "It has been a joy to see patrons admire it and we look forward to visiting it in its new display at the Children's Museum."
"We have been honored to host the Welcome over the years," said Metta T. Lansdale Jr., TADL Director. "It has been a joy to see patrons admire it and we look forward to visiting it in its new display at the Children's Museum."
Byrne has been a dedicated volunteer for the MHA every day for the last 15 years. He moved to Traverse City from Detroit the day after he retired in 1997. He has a passion for the area and the boats that sail the Great Lakes. Byrne’s model of the historic Welcome will be part of a new digital display at the Great Lakes Children's Museum located at 13240 S. West Bay Shore Drive in Greilickville. The new display, planned for a Winter launch) will feature a lighted touch pad highlighting different parts of the boat providing an interactive learning experience for children. “We are really proud of Howard’s model of Welcome and we are excited to have an exhibit where children can learn more about the different parts that make up the boat,” said Frank Clements, MHA Board Member. The Maritime Heritage Alliance and the Children's Museum share a parcel of land so the display seemed like a logical fit and added value for the Museum. Learn more about the MHA at www.maritimeheritagealliance.org.