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Split Rock Lighthouse to Host 50th Anniversary Commemoration for SS Edmund Fitzgerald
The annual ceremony will include a beacon lighting and memorial for lives lost on Lake Superior
For immediate release
Dated: October 8, 2025
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 8, 2025) – Split Rock Lighthouse and the Minnesota Historical Society will observe the 50th anniversary of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald’s sinking this November. The annual Memorial Beacon Lighting at Split Rock will pay homage to the brave crew of the Edmund Fitzgerald and all those lost within Lake Superior's waters.
On November 10 at 4 pm, the lighthouse will temporarily close for a rendition of the naval hymn, followed by the names of the 29 crew members read aloud to the tolling of a ship’s bell. After the ceremony, the beacon will be lit in their honor, and the lighthouse tower will reopen to visitors until 6 pm.
As part of the ceremony, former Split Rock Lighthouse Site Manager Lee Radzak will be onsite to discuss why he started the annual memorial 40 years ago. The 204th Army Band from Fort Snelling will also perform.
Large crowds are expected, so those who plan on attending in person are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance and arrive early. Off-site parking with shuttle service to and from the lighthouse will be available for visitors. The event will also be streamed on Split Rock Lighthouse’s Facebook Page, and the Minnesota Historical Society’s YouTube channel.
Limited space is 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.
Tickets to the ceremony include all-day admission on November 10 and cost $15 for adults. College students, military members, and seniors are eligible for $12 tickets. Tickets for children ages 5-17 cost $8, and admission is free for children ages 4 and under and MNHS members.
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.
Panelists include Split Rock Lighthouse Site Manager Hayes Scriven; John U. Bacon, author of the new book The Gales of November: The Untold Story of the Edmund Fitzgerald; Bruce Lynn, the Executive Director of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum; and former Split Rock Lighthouse Site Manager Lee Radzak. The discussion will also be live streamed 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.