H2Oh! Making Waves: National Museum of the Great Lakes Fundraiser Auction

National Museum of the Great Lakes
1701 Front Street
Toledo, Ohio 43605

 

After nearly six years of planning, the Great Lakes Historical Society, in collaboration with the city of Toledo, the state of Ohio, and a number of generous donors, is in the final stages of preparation for opening its new National Museum of the Great Lakes, slated for spring of 2014.

 

On December 14 from 6:30 to 10, the museum will play host to its annual fundraiser, H2Oh! Making Waves. It will be the first time the public will have an opportunity to see inside the new museum located at Maritime Plaza on Front Street.

 

The evening features a selection of Great Lakes cuisine from aboard Great Lakes freighters prepared locally by Chef Marcel and assisted by culinary students from Penta Career Center.

 

Guests will be able to bid live for items such as a Kentucky Derby trip via a private Lear jet; a sail aboard an award-winning luxury sailboat; a wedding package aboard the "James M. Schoonmaker."  A dozen themed baskets valued at $500 each will be raffled. And, of course there will be the drawing of the "Luck of the Lakes" Raffle, $100 per ticket with prizes valued at more than $35,000, including cash prizes as high as $10,000. Tickets for "Luck of the Lakes" are on sale and will be limited to 1,500. "Luck of the Lakes" tickets can be purchased by attending the auction, calling 440-967-3467, or visiting inlandseas.org

The new museum is unique among traditional maritime museums. It will offer a blend of original Great Lakes artifacts  coordinated with interactive hands-on exhibits, bringing both entertainment and education to a diverse audience.

 

 

 

Lt. Charles J. Hammer: 147th Infantry Regiment WWI



Charles J. Hammer
Fostoria, Ohio



 

Charles J. Hammer, born in Fostoria in Seneca County enlisted in Fremont, Ohio, in the 6th Ohio National Guard in 1917 at the age of 25. At the outbreak of WWI, the Ohio National Guard protected tunnels, viaducts, bridges, docks, and railroads throughout the state. The 6th Ohio spent part of its time at Mingo Junction. Company K, 6th Ohio was federalized March 17, 1917. It became part of the 147th Infantry.

 

Charles J. Hammer
Mingo Junction
1917

 

Camp Sheridan

 Montgomery, Alabama



The 147th Infantry was part of the 37th Division, originally known as "Ohio's Own" and later the "Buckeye Division." The division trained at Camp Sheridan outside Montgomery,  Alabama, which was constructed as training took place. As pictured above, the camp was largely made up of tents.

Charles J. Hammer with his future wife Helen Keller
1917

2nd Lt. Charles J. Hammer
Final Day of Service
December 24, 1918

Charles Hammer left the service as a second lieutenant in December of 1918. He served as Sandusky County, Ohio's auditor from 1953 to 1965. He was a member of American Legion Post No. 121. He passed away in Fremont June 25, 1992 at the age of 99. These photographs and others of Lt. Hammer were donated to the Hayes Presidential Center. 

 

(The 147th was shipped overseas in June 1918. After further combat training, the 147th was ordered to the Baccarat Sector. They fought at the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, St. Mihiel, in Belgium at Ypres-Lys, and Lorraine.) Learn about Sandusky Countian Clarence Childs who also served in the 147th on Paper Trail.

 

World War I centenary commemorations will take place in 2014 and continue through 2018.