LAFFERTY VAN HEEST & ASSOCIATES
specializing in the conception and design of maritime-related
exhibitions and publications
William Lafferty and Valerie van Heest have formed a unique
partnership, specializing in maritime-themed exhibit and publication
conception, design, and production. The diverse but complementary
interests and backgrounds of the principals offer clients a range of
expertise and skills rarely if ever found in traditional exhibit
design firms. Lafferty, with degrees in both engineering and the
humanities, has maintained a passion for Great Lakes maritime
history since the age of ten, and has amassed a large collection of
rare photographs and other material related to that history. He is
the winner of the 2007 Henry Barkhausen Award for Original Maritime
Research, given by the Association for Great Lakes Maritime
History. Valerie van Heest, the recipient of a 2007 Historical
Society of Michigan award for her efforts in preserving and
promoting has a passion for sharing the maritime stories of the
past, which is augmented by her over twenty years of experience in
architectural and graphic design. With both extensive historical
knowledge as well as proven design skills, Lafferty van Heest not
only can guide clients on potential exhibit and publication themes
and content, but can refine those concepts into fruition, drawing
from the principals' comprehensive knowledge of maritime history and
expertise in design.
Lafferty van Heest fully realizes the daunting economic challenges
that the museum community faces today, and the firm's goal is to
provide the most historically rigorous but engaging exhibit or
publication at the lowest price possible. To accomplish this,
Lafferty van Heest has organized a network of skilled artists,
lighting specialists, filmmakers, printers, and other artisans, each
chosen based upon the principals' familiarity with their work and
their suitability for the project at hand. In this way overhead
costs are held to a minimum, allowing as many dollars as possible
invested into the success of the completed project.
PROJECTS INCLUDE
Port of Ludington Maritime Museum
The Mason County Historical Society - Schematic Design work
currently in development
SHIPWRECKS.
A DEEP LOOK - The Rise of the Self-unloading Freighters
The Heritage Museum and Cultural Center - August 2008 - August 2010
Funded
by a grant from Michigan Humanities Council in conjunction with
Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates and the Heritage Museum
The history of
commercial shipping on the Great Lakes is the history of moving bulk
cargos, especially iron ore, coal, grain, and stone for our nation’s
industrialization. Tens of thousands of freighters have navigated
the Great Lakes, but the inland seas are dangerous. Storms and
collisions prevented many ships from reaching their
destinations. Hundreds have ended their careers in watery graves on
the bottom of Lake Michigan alone.
One way to learn
about Great Lakes shipping is to venture underwater. Three of
southern Lake Michigan’s shipwrecks, the sailing schooner
Rockaway, the steam freighter H.C. Akeley and
the self-unloader Hennepin, represent key stages of
the shipping industry. Through their study, we gain valuable new
insights into the demands of cargo transport, and how schooners
evolved into the 600-foot self-unloading freighters that frequent
St. Joseph’s harbor today.
LOST & FOUND -
Shipwrecks of West Michigan
Zeeland Historical Society - May- Dec 2008
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 Michigan Shipwrecks Research
Associates 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.
SHIPWRECKS
Holland Museum - 2000
EXPLORING CHICAGO'S SHIPWRECKS
Chicago Maritime Museum - 1989-1990
EXPLORING CHICAGO"S SHIPWRECKS
Chicago Historical Society - 1993-1994
