See you in Valhalla, brothers.

About the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Foundation

The Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Foundation is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald and honoring the 29 crew members lost on Lake Superior on November 10, 1975. The Foundation exists to ensure that the vessel’s history, the circumstances of its sinking, and the human cost of maritime work on the Great Lakes are remembered with accuracy, dignity, and purpose.

Through education, historical preservation, and public outreach, the Foundation supports research into Great Lakes maritime safety, promotes awareness of commercial shipping risks, and advocates for continued improvements in vessel design, weather forecasting, and operational standards. The Foundation works in collaboration with historians, mariners, educators, museums, and maritime organizations to present factual, well-documented information grounded in primary sources and professional scholarship.

Central to the Foundation’s mission is stewardship of memorial efforts that honor the crew and their families, including public commemorations, archival initiatives, and support for educational programming that connects past lessons to present-day maritime practice. The Foundation does not sensationalize tragedy; it focuses on remembrance, learning, and responsibility.

By preserving the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald, the Foundation seeks not only to commemorate a single ship and crew, but also to reinforce a broader understanding of Great Lakes maritime heritage and the enduring importance of safety, accountability, and respect for those who work on the water.