The Great Lakes Science Center is throwing a 100th birthday bash for the Steamship William G. Mather, Cleveland’s iconic Great Lakes freighter. Launched in 1925, this 618-foot vessel earned the nickname “the ship that built Cleveland” for its vital role in transporting iron ore to the city’s steel mills.
Kicking off in May, the museum’s “Steam and Steel: Propelling the Future of the Great Lakes” exhibit features interactive displays where guests can steer the Mather, simulate cargo loading and delve into the ship’s pioneering technologies like early radar and automated boiler systems. The exhibit runs through September 1, 2025, and is included with general Science Center admission.
Museum visitors can also tour the ship three different ways: In a self-guided tour, a guided tour held daily at 12:30 p.m., or register for a special Hard Hat Tour for a deeper look into the inner workings of the ship.
Learn more about the SS William G. Mather at greatscience.com.
