Valerie van Heest Program Descriptions

PROGRAMS

	DETAILED PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS Whether presenting for a small gathering or as a keynote speaker at a large symposium, one of these programs is bound to suit the occasion. Through her programs, Valerie shares the stories in ways that excite, educate and inspire. She believes that through entertainment, she has the power to educate. Click on the following links to obtain high resolution images for use in promotional graphics: Valerie van Heest Valerie van Heest in dive gear Valerie van Heest Montage Biography for use in promoting program: Valerie van Heest is a member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame and an award-winning author, documentary film director and exhibit designer. She has a passion for documenting historic shipwrecks and promoting Great Lakes maritime history. She has written extensively for a variety of magazines and documentary films, appeared on major television news networks as well as the Discovery Channel. As a director of the non-profit Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates, Valerie spearheads the search for ships lost off Western Michigan in collaboration with author Clive Cussler of NUMA and shipwreck hunter David Trotter, which has resulted in the collective discovery of more than a dozen shipwrecks. She had written four books, all of which are available here today. Have her sign one for you! PROGRAMS FOR AUDIENCES OF ALL AGES
		Unsolved Mysteries: The Shipwreck Thomas Hume On May 21, 1891, the lumber schooner Thomas Hume and its crew of seven sailed out of Chicago, into a spring storm, never to be seen again. The vessel’s owners, Charles Hackley and Thomas Hume of Muskegon, Michigan, could not believe the sturdy lumber hooker could be oversome by rough water. Perhaps a freighter hit it, sank it, then steamed north. Or maybe the crew stole the Hume, repainted it, and sailed away under a different name. The disappearance of the Thomas Hume lingered as one of the great unsolved mysteries of the Great Lakes. In recent years, it even became fodder for UFO stories on the internet. More than a century after its disappearance, the discovery of the wreck of the Thomas Hume solved the mystery of its disappearance. However, the collection of shoes, clothing, jewelry, coins, and tools found inside generated even more questions. An archaeological investigation by Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates has attempted to solve the riddles posed by the shipwreck. After survey dives, historical research, and detective-like reasoning, the team pieced together not only the Thomas Hume’s career, but how its crew lived, worked, and died on the lake. Unsolved Mysteries Promo Graphic
		Lost on the Lady Elgin When her hand touched the wood stock of a musket laying in a filed of debris on the bottom of Lake Michigan, all that remains of the once palatial sidewheel steamer Lady Elgin, it ignited an passion for the study of the tragic circumstances of her sinking 1860, which resulted in the deaths of more than 300 people. Now, 150 years after the worst disaster on the open waters of Lake Michigan, Valerie Van Heest, an award-winning author, exhibit designer and member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame, brings the audience back in time…. ...To the golden age of passenger travel on the Great Lakes… to the eve of a presidential election… to the brink of Civil War facing the young nation... and... to a dark, stormy night when 400 excursionists on board the Lady Elgin were awakened in the middle of the night by the sound of a terrible crash. Within just a few hours, most of them would perish in the worst accident on the open waters of the Great Lakes. More than a century later, perspective of time and documentation of the shipwreck site offers testament to the tragedy of those lost on the Lady Elgin. Lost on the Lady Elgin Promo Graphic
		Deckhand for a Day: Journey on the Self-Unloader Maumee Have you ever wondered what it would be like on board one of these big freighters that deliver bulk cargo to Lake Michigan ports? Holland author Valerie van Heest journeyed across Lake Michigan on board the 620--foot self--unloading freighter Maumee, the Lakes oldest operating self--unloading freighter, to gather data for her book “Buckets and Belts: Evolution of the Great Lakes Self--Unloaders.” Her journey began in Chicago loading 13,000 tons of coal. Along with the captain, chief engineer and 18 other crewmembers, she traveled 12 hours across the lake to arrive at Holland and deliver their cargo to power the homes of Holland residents. Along the way, she piloted the boat, explored every nook and cranny of the vessel and spent time getting to know the crew and understanding their fascinating and unique career choices. Van Heest will share her experience in her exciting program, “Deckhand for a Day” that will also take you underwater to explore the shipwreck Hennepin, the world’s first self--unloading vessel, now listed on the National Register of historic places, which her team found in deep water off South Haven, Michigan. Deck Hand for a Day Promo graphic
		Lost and Found: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan Of the estimated 2,000 to 3,000 ships gone missing on Lake Michigan, dozens of shipwrecks lie scattered off the shores of Western Michigan, recalling the roots of these lakeshore communities that developed largely because of their proximity to the water--based transportation system. Decades later, these submerged ships have become cultural and historical artifacts. Serendipitously, the waters off Western Michigan contain a wide variety of vessel types. If studied together, they offer a nearly complete representation of the evolution of marine transportation and travel on Lake Michigan. All are maintained in a nearly timeless state of preservation by the fresh waters. Finding these shipwrecks is a challenge. Recent expeditions by Valerie and the Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates team have uncovered many lost vessels. Study and documentation of these shipwrecks has broadened the rich cultural fabric of our communities, so steeped in maritime history. Reef your sails, stoke your fires, gas up your engine and don your scuba gear to explore the lost and found shipwrecks of western Michigan. Lost and Found Promo graphic
		Chasing Shadows: The Search for Flight 2501 On June 23, 1950, Northwest Airlines Flight 2501 took off from LaGuardia airport en--route to Minneapolis. As Captain Robert Lind passed over Battle Creek, MI preparing for the Lake crossing, his radio request for an altitude drop in hopes of avoiding the turbulence of a thunderstorm over the lake was denied. That transmission was the last that was heard from the DC--4. The next morning scattered airplane debris and human remains floating in Lake Michigan confirmed the tragedy — the plane and all 58 persons aboard were gone, making this the worst commercial aviation disaster of its time. Since 2004, Valerie van Heest and fellow members of MSRA have been working with nationally acclaimed author, Clive Cussler, to search for the remains of the plane and bring closure to families still hoping to learn why the plane crashed. Chasing Shadows Promo graphic
		Icebound Found! The Ordeal of the S.S. Michigan “Difficulties are just things to overcome after all” This quote, made famous by Captain Ernest Shackleton when he returned from Antarctica safely six months after his ship Endurance sank, could certainly have been the sentiment of Captain Prindiville as a similar drama played out on the ice--encrusted Lake Michigan. In 1885 Prindiville and his crew on the S.S. Michigan became icebound off West Michigan during one of the worst winter storms in history. After 40 days their ship was crushed by the ice and sank, forcing them onto the ice--covered lake. With stamina and perseverance all 30 men made it safely to shore in this local tale of endurance! It would also take endurance for Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates to search for the sunken remains of this 200--foot steamer. The team to persisted to finally locate the wreck in deep water off Holland, Michigan. The multifaceted tale is told through a riveting and accurate historic reenactment, an unfolding search effort, and the technical diving team, as MSRA explores the intact remains of this historic vessel, 275 beneath Lake Michigan. Icebound Found Promo Graphic
		Buckets and Belts: The Sinking of the Self-Unloader Hennepin When the tugboat Lotus moved slowly up the Grand River in Ferrysburg Michigan on the evening of August 18, 1927, it was immediately apparent something was wrong. She had left the day prior towing the barge Hennepin and was returning without it. The Hennepin’s Captain Ole Hansen, who had taken refuge on the tug, shouted across to employees waiting at the Dock: “We lost here boys. She died a hard death.” 79 years later Valerie van Heest and fellow directors of Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates discovered the ship that Hansen had lost in 230’ of water off South Haven, Michigan. Through research and diving this very pristine wreck, MSRA would piece together the true account of the sinking of this ship, told through historical reenactment, and place this vessel in its proper historical content as the first self unloading steamer and one of the most significant vessels ever to sail the Great Lakes. Hennepin Promo graphic
		Gales of November (A program particularly suited to November) The Gales of November have been responsible for the loss of thousands of vessels in the Great Lakes, many now resting in the cold, clear water just off the shores of Western Michigan where the freshwater secures them in a nearly timeless state of preservation. Local shipwreck hunter, author, and member of the Women Divers Hall of Fame, Valerie van Heest, will take you on a journey of search and discovery as she explores these wrecks that span the history of shipping on Lake Michigan. Many of these vessels met their end on the wild waters of Lake Michigan, but storms are not the only reasons for their loss. Collisions, fire, and even ice have taken the lives of many a ship and sailor.In one such “chilly” tale, van Heest tells how the SS Michigan, became trapped in the ice off West Michigan in 1885. After 43 days in the ice, the ship sank, but with stamina and perseverance the crew made it safely to shore near Holland. The recent discovery of the shipwreck provides evidence of the ordeal that took place on the lake. Another story documents how a tired old barge began taking on water in 1927 and eventually sank off South Haven. The recent discovery of the wreck of the Hennepin led van Heest to nominate it to the National Register of Historic Places for its significance as the world’s first self--unloader. These stories were the inspiration for Valerie’s books, the award winning Icebound! The Adventures of Young George Sheldon and the SS Michigan, and Buckets and Belts: Evolution of the Great Lakes Self--Unloaders. Gales of November Promo Graphic
	PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY FOR SCHOOL AGED KIDS
		LOST & FOUND: Shipwreck Tales of West Michigan Dozens of shipwrecks rest in the cold, clear water just off the shores of Western Michigan where the freshwater preserves them as time capsules. Local shipwreck hunter, author, member of the Women Divers hall of fame, and mom to two elementary students, Valerie van Heest, will take students on a journey of search and discovery as she explores these wrecks that span the history of shipping on Lake Michigan. She will take you to the bottom as she and Michigan officials explore one wreck using a remote operated vehicle and will show you how one young girl dove down to explore a shipwreck herself. Many of these ships met their end on the wild waters of Lake Michigan, but storms are not the only reasons for their loss. Collisions, fire and even ICE have sunk many ships. In one such “chilly” tale, van Heest tells how Captain Prindiville of the steamship Michigan, his crew and the youngest crewman, George Sheldon, became trapped in the ice off Holland in 1885. After battling the ice for 43 days their ship sinks, but with stamina and perseverance young George leads everyone safely to shore in this local tale of determination. It also takes determination for Valerie and her team to search for and finally locate the sunken remains of this steamer in deep water. This true story was the inspiration for her new book for young readers: ICEBOUND! The Adventures of Young George Sheldon and the SS Michigan, which won the 2008 Historical Society of Michigan Award for youth book. Lost and Found Promo Graphic
		SHIPWRECK DETECTIVE People love solving mysteries---- especially kids. Valerie takes school age kids on a journey of discovery as they look at the clues of lost ships, explore the waters of Lake Michigan using side scan sonar and dive beneath the lake to see long lost shipwrecks and help solve the mysteries of their sinkings. At the same time they will learn about Michigan's Submerged Maritime History. Shipwreck Detective Promo graphic

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