Who We Are Home
mission
Mission, Vision, Values & Strategic Priorities
belonging
Belonging & Inclusion at MNHS
leadership
Leadership
kent-whitworth
Kent Whitworth
brian-juntti
Brian Juntti
avi-viswanathan
Avi Viswanathan
david-kelliher
David Kelliher
kevin-maijala
Kevin Maijala
jack-matheson
Jack Matheson
jennifer-pogatchnik
Jennifer Pogatchnik
nicole-tuescher
Nicole Tuescher, JD
reports
Reports
media
Media Room
fortsnelling
Historic Fort Snelling Press Kit
millcity
Mill City Museum Press Kit
historycenter
Minnesota History Center Press Kit
splitrock
Split Rock Lighthouse Press Kit
exhibits-to-go
Exhibits To Go!
1968-generation
Coming of Age: The 1968 Generation
requirements
Hosting Requirements
schedule
Schedule
marketing-materials
Marketing Materials
electrifying-minnesota
Electrifying Minnesota
requirements
Hosting Requirements
schedule
Schedule
marketing-materials
Marketing Materials
education-resources
Education Resources
education-resources-teacher-tools
Teacher Tools
suggested-reading-and-resources
Suggested Reading and Resources
fur-trade
Fur Trade in Minnesota
requirements
Hosting Requirements
schedule
Schedule
marketing-materials
Marketing Materials
educational-resources
Educational Resources
images
Images
hosting-exhibit
Hosting an Exhibit
application
Application Guidelines and Instructions
jobs
Jobs
internships
Internships
college
Undergraduate and Graduate Internships
positions
Available Opportunities
fellowships
Fellowships and Residencies
native-american
Native American Museum Fellowship
naair
Native American Artist-in-Residence Program
preservation
Grants
volunteers
Volunteers
volunteer
Become a Volunteer
opportunities
Volunteer Opportunities
active
For Active Volunteers

Media News

Record-Breaking Attendance Expected at 50th Anniversary Commemoration for SS Edmund Fitzgerald

In-person tickets for Split Rock Lighthouse event are sold out; online livestream will be available

For immediate release

Dated: October 27, 2025

Contacts:

Contacts

Nick Jungheim, 651-259-3060, nick.jungheim@mnhs.org or Allison Ortiz, 651-259-3051, allison.ortiz@mnhs.org

Location: Split Rock Lighthouse

TWO HARBORS, Minn. (October 27, 2025) – A record-breaking 2,000 in-person tickets have been purchased for the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Beacon Lighting and commemoration ceremony at Split Rock Lighthouse on November 10, the 50th anniversary of the ship’s sinking in Lake Superior. Due to the high demand, the event is now sold out. 

For those who still wish to view the ceremony, the commemoration will also be streamed online.

With large crowds expected, those who have tickets are strongly encouraged to arrive early. Off-site parking with shuttle service to and from the lighthouse will be available for visitors. 

Limited space is still available for media who plan on attending the ceremony. Media is asked to RSVP by emailing Nick Jungheim no later than October 31. Interviews will be available between 1 pm and 2:30 pm. Media must arrive at the site for the ceremony no later than 2 pm. 

In addition to the Annual Beacon Lighting, the Minnesota History Center will be hosting a special panel discussion titled The Enduring Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald on November 20. This conversation will explore why the Edmund Fitzgerald continues to resonate so deeply across generations. Tickets are still available to this free event and it will also be livestreamed on the MNHS YouTube Channel.

About the Minnesota Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs, and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories, and connects people with history.