Lafferty van Heest & Associates

Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, Mason County Historical Society. Ludington, Michigan.

Bill — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:11:51 +0000

The City of Ludington received title to the former Coast Guard station from the federal government in a ceremony on 30 July 2010. The Ludington Daily News covered the event and published an article in its 3 August 2010 edition discussing the ambitions of the Mason County Historical Society for the Port of Ludington Maritime Museum.

This month Lafferty van Heest completed the preliminary exhibit planning and interior design stage for the proposed Port of Ludington Maritime Museum, a process that has encompassed almost two years. In August 2009 LvH principle William Lafferty undertook an inventory of the maritime collection of the Mason County Historical Society, sponsor of the proposed museum, and, based upon an historical appraisal of those holdings, LvH devised an overall design scheme that builds upon the strengths of that collection to describe the maritime heritage of Ludington.

Outdoor Interpretive Historical and Nature Signs. Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission, West Olive, Michigan.

Bill — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 23:04:38 +0000

Lafferty van Heest has been contracted to provide the research, text, and graphic design for four large format outdoor interpretive signs to be installed at a new fishing access dock currently under construction on the north side of Lake Macatawa just outside the entrance to the Holland State Park. These signs will address the history of commercial shipping and fishing at Holland, Michigan, focusing upon Lake Macatawa, as well as aspects of contemporary local sportfishing and a description of current plans to develop further the recreational potential of Lake Macatawa.

Mason County Historical Society awards maritime museum design project to LvH

Molly — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:46:32 +0000

The Mason County Historical Society awarded Lafferty van Heest & Associates the contract to develop, design, and construct the permanent exhibits for the proposed Port of Ludington Maritime Museum. The museum will be developed at the mouth of the harbor channel in Ludington through the renovation of the city’s former Coast Guard station, built in 1934. Conceptual design planning will begin immediately and it is expected that the museum will open in 2011.

LvH attends the 50th Anniversary Service of the Carl D. Bradley Sinking

Molly — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 21:58:21 +0000

Valerie van Heest attended the 50th anniversary memorial service in remembrance of those lost when the Carl D. Bradley sank in a ferocious storm on November 18, 1958. Valerie had the opportunity to interview and have dinner with not only Frank Mays, the sole living survivor of the loss of the Bradley, but also David Erickson, survivor of the Cedarville sinking in 1965, organizer of the memorial service, and Dennis Hale, sole survivor of the foundering of the Daniel J. Morrell in 1966. Van Heest’s impressions of the memorial will be the featured in the cover story of the January/February issue of Michigan History Magazine, a publication to which she regularly contributes.

Profile of Valerie van Heest in the Grand Rapids Press

Molly — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:05:08 +0000

A profile of Valerie van Heest is featured in the Grand Rapids Press, providing details of her life in the maritime world. Click here to view the profile.

LvH Provides Historical Research Services to an Archeological Survey of Wisconsin’s Fox River

Molly — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 21:56:29 +0000

Dolan Research, Inc., a maritime archeology and remote sensing firm headquartered at Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, used the historical research services of Lafferty van Heest & Associates as part of Dolan’s underwater archeological survey of the Fox River. Dolan contacted LvH for assistance in identifying the submerged hulks of several tugs and barges discovered in the river at Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Valerie van Heest’s Icebound! The Adventures of Young George Sheldon and the SS Michigan receives 2008 Michigan State History Award

Molly — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:58:48 +0000

The Historical Society of Michigan presented its 2008 State History Awards at the 134th annual State History Conference held in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the Society’s annual banquet in September. The State History Awards are the highest recognition presented by the state’s official historical society and oldest cultural organization, established in 1828.

Icebound! The Adventures of Young George Sheldon and the SS Michigan, published by In-Depth Editions, won in the category of Books: Children and Youth. Through its engaging narrative and illustrations the book brings to life the sinking of the Michigan-built passenger steamer and the discovery of its remains by a team of underwater explorers.

Valerie van Heest Receives 2007 State History Award from the Historical Society of Michigan

Molly — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 21:59:54 +0000

The Historical Society of Michigan presented its 2007 State History Awards at the 133rd annual State History Conference held in Macomb County, Michigan, September 28-30. Fifteen awards were presented in a variety categories. Valerie van Heest received the Distinguished Volunteer Service Award for her efforts to document, interpret, and preserve Michigan’s underwater maritime heritage, as well as for her educational outreach to both sport divers and the general public.

After playing an instrumental role in establishing the Southwest Michigan Underwater Preserve, Van Heest co-founded Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates in 2001.

William Lafferty Receives 2007 Barkhausen Award from the Association for Great Lakes History

Molly — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 22:00:52 +0000

William Lafferty received the Henry Barkhausen Award for Original Research in Great Lakes Maritime History from the Association for Great Lakes Maritime History at the Association’s annual dinner meeting held at Mackinaw City, Michigan. The Association recognized Lafferty’s research into the technological origins of the Hennepin, the world’s first self-unloading bulk cargo freighter, describing how the vessel over a century ago established the design paradigm upon which most of today’s Great Lakes fleet, and a substantial segment of the world’s saltwater fleet, is based.