HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — In what Michigan Maritime Museum officials are calling “truly an historic day,” for the Museum and for South Haven,” they announced the purchase of the historic Jensen property.
The Jensen property adjoins the museum’s, situated just over the drawbridge on the north side of the Black River in South Haven.
The museum’s executive Director Patti Reinert expressed delight in an email sent to media.
“This purchase has been a dream for many people involved with the Museum for a very long time,” she said in the statement. “The process has been three years in the making and now the dream is coming true. I feel it is an honor and a privilege to be a part of this special day.”
The City of South Haven is leasing the property to the museum, which effectively doubles the Maritime Museum’s campus, which itself it in the city’s maritime district.
Officials celebrating the lease at 2 p.m. Oct. 1, 2020, with COVID-19 rules observed.
Those present included members of the Jensen family, museum staff, board and campaign committee members, as well as city and state officials.
Museum Board of Trustees President Brian Bosgraaf and Reinert gave a brief presentation before presenting a final $1.350 million check to the Jensen Family. The property’s total property purchase is $1.6 million, raised entirely through donations to the Museum’s on-going Launching a Legacy capital campaign.
The $8 million campaign for the Museum was started in 2019 with a finish date of the project in the spring of 2022. The scope of the project includes the Jensen Property purchase, a new 2-story main facility, additional buildings, indoor and outdoor event spaces, docks, and shoreline work throughout.
COVID-19 paused fundraising efforts. The adjusted timeline has moved the Museum’s project completion deadline to spring, 2023.
The new property is the site of the former Jensen’s Fishery and has a long history of Great Lakes maritime heritage. That land, with the existing museum campus, boasts a 150-year history.
The museum’s expansion, officials say, is a major step forward for the growth and guarantees preservation of historically significant waterfront.
“The South Haven harbor is world renowned because of its authenticity and beauty, it is one of the best beach and harbor towns on the Great Lakes. The Museum has, for decades, one of its core values to protect the harbor’s scenic beauty. With this acquisition of the Jensen property and water frontage, the Michigan Maritime Museum is going to restore this historic fishing operation point into a sustainable working waterfront while keeping it open and real,” says Bosgraaf, said. “I believe that the view from our city’s drawbridge will become an iconic image enjoyed for generations.”
High-water issues created challenges across the Great Lakes for the last couple of years. Rising water levels have significantly flooded areas of the property, making it unusable.
Plans include raising the property levels out of the floodplain and making improvements to the shoreline and property drainage. During the work, existing docks will not be suitable for boats.
Elsie J., the Jensen’s historic fish tug run as a charter boat, will remain under the ownership of the Jensens and continue operating from the museum docks in the future.
“The Jensens have been wonderful neighbors and continuing to see Elsie J. coming and going from the docks as she’s done since 1945, just makes sense,” Reinert said. “Hearing her horn and the sound of her engine at that historic property is truly authentic. It’s an immersive experience every visitor to the Museum can truly appreciate.”
The project also creates greater public access to the historic waterfront, showcasing exhibits related to commercial fishing, recreational boating activities, and other maritime cultural and natural heritage topics.
“The City of South Haven is pleased to see further expansion of a critical organization in the harbor,” said City Manager Kate Hosier. “The Museum’s commitment to education on our shared maritime heritage and ability to provide experiences on the water adds to the character and significance of the South Haven harbor.”
Jensens said, “We knew we wanted the property to go to the museum when we decided to sell it,” a statement from the Jensen family read. “The museum will take good care of the property and keep our family’s history of commercial fishing alive long after we’re gone. We think our father and grandfather would be proud of what we’ve done.”
The Museum is a 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more by calling (269) 637-8078 or visit michiganmaritimemuseum.org.
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