Talks@EHC Great Lake: An Unnatural History of Lake Michigan

Talks@EHC Great Lake: An Unnatural History of Lake Michigan

with Dr. Ted Karamanski

Tuesday, September 1, 6:30pm

Free & Open to all. Scroll down to RSVP

In-person event
At the Evanston History Center
225 Greenwood Evanston, IL

Looking down from outer space a vast expanse of blue appears in the heart of North America. Of the magnificent chain of inland seas, only one of those bodies of water—Lake Michigan—is entirely within the boundaries of the United States. Lake Michigan has been uniquely shaped by its relationship with humans, since its geological evolution took place at the same time as Paleo-Indian peoples interacted with the changing environment. Each generation of humans has altered the lake to suit society’s changing needs, dredging harbors, building lighthouses, digging canals and channels, filling in shallows, and obliterating wetlands. This illustrated lecture will tell the story of the ever-escalating and divergent demands Americans have placed on Lake Michigan, how the lake’s ecosystem responded to those changes, and how together they have shaped the modern American Midwest.

About Dr. Ted Karamakski

Dr. Karamanski is an expert on history, historic preservation, and heritage. He is author of 12 books and numerous articles in professional journals as well as popular news media. He Professor Emeritus of History and founder of the Public History Program at Loyola University Chicago. He has served as a heritage consultant to the National Park Service, National Geographic, The History Channel, BBC, and the Travel Channel. He has written histories of Isle Royale National Park, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Among his recent books are Mastering the Inland Seas and Great Lake: An Unnatural History of Lake Michigan. He is a founding board member of the Chicago Maritime Museum. In 2022 He was awarded the American Historical Association’s Award for “Distinguished Contributions to the Field of Public History.” He currently enjoys sharing the experience of his forty plus years of teaching the history of civilization with adult audiences and leading study tours.

Through our community’s generosity, we can offer these free programs! Please consider donating $10 to support our ongoing free public programming.

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If you don’t receive a confirmation email, please email Erin Hughes at ehughes@evanstonhistorycenter.org.