Ric Mixter

Returning for the 2025/26 season, Ric is bringing to the GLCC School a series of knowledgeable, energetic and passionate webinars about Great Lakes history. We think you will agree he's mastered how to engage viewers remotely with his enthusiasm and exclusive interviews and video.

Ric Mixter logs thousands of miles each year as one of the most requested Great Lakes historians. From archive footage to new underwater images of shipwrecks, historical documents and Ric’s moving picture library, your webinar will feature unmatched historical stories from across the Great Lakes region. He has written dozens of articles that have appeared on the covers of Michigan History Magazine, The Beacon, and Michigan's Chronicle.  He has written and hosted over 30 shows on PBS stations airing all around the Midwest and Canada, and has been featured as an expert on Discovery and History Channels.  His shipwreck speaking tour, "STORM," has sold out before audiences in 16 cities.  Ric is a board member at the prestigious Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society and is president of the Great Lakes Lighthouse Keepers Association.  He says his greatest productions are his three kids who are all certified divers.

Upcoming classes

Howling Winds: The Misadventures of Maritime Mascots
In “Howling Winds”, author and historian Ric Mixter shares the most famous mascot stories on fresh and salt water. You will hear about incredible survivals in the 1913 and “Black Friday” 1916 Storms, as well as the dog that helped search for 29 men lost on the Edmund Fitzgerald. Join for fun and entertaining stories of Gold medal rescues, treasure ships and mascot stories from all five Great Lakes in this new GLCC School addition presented by one of Michigan's favorite story tellers.
Bottled Goodbyes
Messages in bottles were last ditch efforts calling for rescue or desperate goodbyes to loved ones. History has recorded thousands of bottles, but are they all real? GLCC's favorite history story teller Ric Mixter investigates and adds new information to famous and unknown messages on the ocean and the Great Lakes.
The Poe Lock pumped dry.
The History and Future of the Soo Locks
The Soo Locks have been transferring ship traffic since 1855. This system remains one of the busiest waterways in the world. The Soo Locks raise and lower 1000 foot ships in a half-hour, and their history is just as fascinating as how they work.