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Che Detroit Marine Historian Journal of MARINE HISTORICAL SOCIETY of Detroit August, 1964 Volume 17, No. 12 The Marine Historical Society of Detroct (Its Birth and Childhood ) BY ROY M. BATES One Saturday afternoon, 21 years ago, I took the elevator to the 23d floor of the Barlum Tower for a visit to the Detroit Historical Museum, I was greeted by the Curator, Miss Louise Butler, who in- sisted that I meet Mr. Robert Larson, Director of the Museum and Historical Society, and who by chance happened to be in his office, This meeting developed into a friendship which lasted until Mr. Larson's death in 1958. Our visits were frequent to his office and at his home. He introduced me to various organizations in the City and our interests were common. Mr. Larson pointed with pride to the various specialized histor- ical groups that existed in Detroit at that time, and we suggested that since no marine historical group existed in the Great Lakes region, such an organization should be well received, especially in the Detroit area, Mr. Larson agreed and plans were discussed. In the Spring of 1944 the Detroit Historical Society sponsored a program for the construction of a number of ship models that would be representa- tive of the various types of vessels in use through the years on the Great Lakes. A committee was appointed to work with the "School Systems Vocational Dept." in this effort. Among others on this Committee were Mr. William McDonald, long an active member of our Society, and Mr. John O'Brien, later to be the first secretary of our Society, and myself. Prior to these meetings, we had not known these men, We explained to Mr. O'Brien our plan for organizing a marine group, and it was Mr. O'Brien's continued insistence that we form such an historical group that led to a decision to call a meeting for July 13, 1944, at the Museum quarters. Mr. George Stark of The Detroit News made mention in his "Town Talk" column of July 9 of the proposed meeting. And here is what he said: "And now a small earn- est group of citizens of our town proposes to do something about grabbing hold of the tradition and glamour of the Detroit River be- fore it flows completely from our ken. The group will meet next Thursday evening in the rooms of the Detroit Historical Society on the 23d floor of the Barlum Tower. If you are interested, you are welcome. The meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m." (Continued on page 2)