The Christmas Ship

		The Arrival This famous painting by marine painter Charles Vickery, depicts The Rouse Simmons coming in to the port of Chicago in the late 1800's with a Christmas tree lashed to her topmast. Special Performances in Milwaukee, Wisconsin December 5-6, 2008 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. daily Come and enjoy this unique experience, "The Art of Storytelling" in a satellite linkup with remote locations. Lee and Gaye-Lynn Clyde will present 40 minute presentations about the Rouse Simmons, with participation from you, the audience in Milwaukee, along with live interaction from other sites. In the Distance Learning Center at the Milwaukee Public Museum. These are the same programs I'll be presenting for schools during the week in November and December. (Contact the Museum to arrange a program direct to your classroom).
The 17th Annual Christmas Ship Concert, with The Blue Water Band Nov 29, 2008, 7:30 p.m. At the Historic Maple Street Chapel, Main & Maple Streets, Lombard, IL (Walk from the Lombard Metra Station, or drive - there's plenty of free parking). Openseating, first come first served (they're all good seats) Get advance tickets now, or get your tickets at the door.

Imagine a tall ship, a three-masted sailing schooner, sailing down Lake Michigan at the end of the shipping season.

Imagine a bright evergreen tree tied to her topmost mast, and the scent of pine wafting in to shore as the ship, laden with fresh-cut pine trees, headed for southern ports such as Chicago and Milwaukee.

Imagine picking your fresh-cut Christmas tree right off the boat, and taking it home to start your holiday season.

This was the scene in November and December in Milwaukee, Chicago and many other Great Lakes cities, during the heyday of the lumber trade on the Great Lakes-around the end of nineteenth century, and in Chicago, re-enacted right up until the early 1930s.

Join Lee Murdock as he celebrates this holiday tradition in song, along with many other songs and stories about the Great Lakes.

See MORE Christmas Ship Appearances by Lee Murdock for 2008 --

Lansing MI Dec 3, 2008; Ann Arbor, MI Dec 11, 2008; Erie, PA Dec 12; Alexandria Virginia Dec 31, 2008 --

A Few More Christmas Ship Links:

Historian and Author Fred Neuschel hosts the definitive site for historical information about the Rouse Simmons and dozens of other Christmas Tree ships that sailed the Great Lakes. (Finally!) This year, Fred's book about the Christmas Tree Ships has been released. You can purchase it at my concerts, or in my online store.

Chicago's Christmas Ship re-enactment at Navy Pier, with the USCG Cutter Mackinaw.

The Clipper Ship Gallery, in Brookfield, Illinois, home port for the late maritime artist, Charles Vickery.