The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary holds their Annual Christmas Tree Ship Story Time
The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary held their annual Christmas Tree Ship Story Time for the first time since 2019 and had visitors and sanctuary workers both excited. The Stewardship and Education Specialist for the Sanctuary, Daniel Moffatt, had this to say about what program is, “Today we have a Christmas story time, where we are reading the book, The Christmas Tree Ship by Jeannette Winters.” He added, “which is a story, a tale of a captain who, for years and years, brought Christmas trees from the U.P., down to the city of Chicago for families at Christmas time.”
After a crazy last few years due to the pandemic and restrictions, programs had to be canceled or put on hold until they were lifted. After the reopening in the spring, those programs have come back to the excitement of visitors. Moffatt had this to say about the program beginning again: “The Christmas Tree Ship program has been happening for many years, but since COVID in the last few years it has not happened, so this is the first time in about four years since we’ve had the program. I was really excited with the attendance we had this morning, and it looks like we’re gonna get started here with another group. Now that the school’s out, people are looking for some things to do.”
Programs like the Christmas tree ship story have had visitors coming in droves since the spring opening, with events like the trick or treat inviting visitors to come enjoy and see the history and displays at the sanctuary. The Christmas Tree Ship program tells the story of the ship Rouse Simmons, while also making ornaments. “Since we opened our doors here at the visitor center in this spring, it’s just been like hitting the ground running,” said Moffat. He continued with, “We’ve had a great response from the community, a lot of people coming out to visit the sanctuary and learn all about the shipwrecks, and in here in the season to learn specifically about a shipwreck that happened over 100 years ago with Christmas trees. It’s really a special time for families to come and hear a cool story.”
