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MHM at the 2009 Nautical Model Shipbuilders Society Show



On 24 October 2009, Maritime Heritage Minnesota staffer Ann Merriman joined the fine gentleman of the Nautical Model Shipbuilders Society at Merriam Park Library in St Paul for their 6th annual Models Show. MHM staffer Christopher Olson is a member of the NMSS and exhibited several of his models at the show. Merriman set up MHM's Model Shipwrecks and a visual exhibit to inform visitors to the Models Show about our activities. The Model Shipwrecks are constructed of wood, cardboard, paneling, and metal fasteners, and are used by MHM to teach aspiring archaeologists about watercraft construction and the proper names of vessel parts, as well as how a wreck might look if discovered in the field. Visitors were encouraged to draw and measure the "wrecks" using triangulation, while imagining they were underwater in SCUBA gear in a low-visibility environment. The Model Shipwrecks and static visual exhibits about MHM and our projects Andy Gibson, Swan, and USS Essex were well-received. The construction of the Model Shipwrecks was made possible by the generous donation of wood from Ken and Judy Muller of Milaca, and wood and scored cardboard from the Tilsner Carton Company of St Paul.

Visit the web site of the Tilsner Carton Company:

Tilsner Carton Company



Thanks to everyone who visited our Model Shipwreck exhibit and the Nautical Model Shipbuilders Society's Annual Model Show!


MHM's Model Shipwrecks and Display at Merriam Park Library, surrounded by the "Tools of the Archaeology Trade." The Model Wrecks were inspired by the "Sinkentine," a fiberglass portion of a shipwreck that would be placed into a diving well for students to learn wreck documentation prior to working on actual archaeological sites. MHM's Model Wrecks were the idea of MHM volunteer Kelly Nehowig.


MHM Informational Display included in-the-field photos of our work on the USS Essex in Duluth. Other information available for visitors to enjoy included information concerning USS Essex builder Donald McKay and Burntside Lake's lumber scow Bull of the Woods.

MHM's Informational Display included in-the-field photos of our work in the Mississippi River on the steamers Andy Gibson and Swan near Atikin, and on Big Island at Lake Minnetonka.

Aspiring nautical archaeologist Furo next to a model that represents a portion of a sailing vessel with a mast step in her keelson and substantial floors.

Furo measures a ceiling plank in the sailing vessel Model Shipwreck.

Brothers Camerson (standing) and Alexander (seated) team up to measure the sailing vessel Model Shipwreck.

Brothers Finn (left, 4, with mask), Declan (middle, 6, blowing air down snorkel!), and Mac (right, 7), fresh off hockey practice, try on a SCUBA mask and snorkel and found about the job of the Archaeologist.

The Nautical Model Shipbuilders Society poster advertising their 6th Annual Show. Designed by NMSS President Clayton Johnson.

NMSS members Art Bergstrom (left), Jim Huebener (middle), and Lars Evans (standing). Jim's model the tug Edna G. was on display, as well as several tools used by model shipbuilders.

NMSS member Jack Gilbertson displayed his Spanish fleet of "Ships of Exploration", a cross section of HMS Victory, and an English steam launch.

Jack Gilbertson's work in progress Mayflower and his French frigate L'Orenoque.

MHM staff member and NMMS President Christopher Olson's models (back row, left to right): the submarine U-2336, the racing yacht America, a World War II Liberty Ship, Monitor USS Wyoming, and the pre-Dreadnaught USS Oregon. Front row, left to right: the North Carolina side-wheeler Curlew, the Revolutionary War Galley Washington, an Upper Mississippi Riverboat, and Lumber Scow Bull of the Woods.

Allan Rossman's models the World War II American destroyer Alan M. Sumner, future President Kennedy's fast torpedo boat PT-109, and an Ancient Roman warship.

Jim Huebener's model the tug Lackawanna and Clayton Johnson's life boat models, a Dutch Warship, and the Swedish Royal Ship Vasa.

Clayton Johnson's Swedish Royal Ship Vasa.

A close-up of the figurehead, beak, and bow of the Swedish Royal Ship Vasa.

NMSS member Don Pearson discusses "Ship-in-a-Bottle" building with a Model Ship Show visitor.