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Page 31 Era Of Elegance Over the last several months, Dossin Great Lakes Museum visitors have been responding enthusiastically to last winter's Museum Makeover. Of particular interest has been the Era of Elegance in Aaron DeRoy Hall. Drawing from the museums collection of artifacts and photographs, the Era of Elegance returns guests to the glorious days of steamship travel on the lakes. Whether on a day trip to Tashmoo Park, an overnight excursion on one of the D&C liners, or a full cruise vacation on the SOUTH AMERICAN, the era of the passenger steamship evokes great memories. One highlight of the exhibit is the collection of personal memories that were solicited from the public during preparation for the installation. Dozens of people responded, often donating photographs or documents as well. Submissions came from passengers, from people who worked on the boats, and from folks who simply remember watching these majestic vessels steam by. As entertaining reading, short tales can be cathartic and fun, especially when they are ostensibly true. From an informational standpoint, they offer details and perspective that are lost daily in the passing of time. From a museum's standpoint they provided a rich trove of material that made Era of Elegance unique. In their own words... Many people recalled the familiar ships of the Georgian Bay Line, the last of the traditional cruise lines. Tom Rockwell of Grosse Pointe Woods wrote, " I worked at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island during the late 1950's as a bellman/bell captain while going through both undergrad and law school. At that time the NORTH AMERICAN and SOUTH AMERICAN, the Queens of the Georgian Bay Line, would stop at the Island during the week, but at different times, and their passengers would then disembark and spend a few hours on the Island. "There was quite a rivalry between the crews of these two vessels. They were mostly college kids like myself, earning money for the summer in order to return to school in the fall. On Labor Day weekend, both ships would arrive on Mackinac together. In the evening the combined crews would come up to the Grand Hotel and put on a wonderful variety show for both the guests of the Grand as well as the passengers of the boats. "When the variety show ended, their crews would return to their respective vessels along with the passengers. Guests of other hotels and even the townsfolk would meet at the Arnold dock downtown. All of us would watch the ships back out of their slips at midnight. The vessels would be S.S. SOUTH AMERICAN - Photo by Tom Drake Dossin Museum Collection