Think & Drink Series: Fatal Crossing - The Disappearance of NWA Flight 2501

Thu, 07 May, 2026 at 06:30 pm UTC-05:00

75 Maritime Dr, Manitowoc, WI, United States, Wisconsin 54220 | Manitowoc

Wisconsin Maritime Museum
Publisher/HostWisconsin Maritime Museum
Think & Drink Series: Fatal Crossing - The Disappearance of NWA Flight 2501
Advertisement
On June 23rd, 1950, Northwest Airlines Flight 2501, carrying 58 passengers, vanished over Lake Michigan. Despite intensive searches at the time, the wreck was never found, and the cause of the disaster remained one of aviation’s greatest unsolved mysteries.
Join author and historian Valerie van Heest, who will be presenting virtually, as she recounts her decades-long quest to solve the mystery of America’s “lost airliner.” Working in partnership with the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association and renowned author Clive Cussler, Valerie’s team discovered numerous shipwrecks, but the plane remained unseen. However, this search led the team to an entirely different discovery: the stories of witnesses, personnel, and families left behind.
About the speaker: Valerie van Heest is the 2025 Great Lakes Historian of the Year—the first woman to receive this honor—and an inductee in the Women Divers Hall of Fame. An author of eight books and a veteran of over 800 lectures, Valerie has dedicated her career to underwater archaeology and museum exhibit design, to bring submerged history back to the surface.
Doors and cash bar open at 6:00 PM. Both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase at the limited bar. The presentation and livestream will begin at 6:30 PM. To access the livestream of this event, please register here: https://forms.gle/VZ7W4Nj2bcvaEKfi7
Please note: Although these events incorporate a thematic drink pairing, there is no requirement or emphasis on alcohol consumption. If you or a loved one is struggling with alcohol and/or drug abuse, please reach out to the National Substance Abuse Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
Advertisement

Event Venue

75 Maritime Dr, Manitowoc, WI, United States, Wisconsin 54220

Tickets

Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Manitowoc

Holland Tulip Time
Thu, 07 May at 08:00 am Holland Tulip Time

3330 Custer St, Manitowoc, WI, United States, Wisconsin 54220

Watercolor Landscape - Teen Class
Thu, 07 May at 04:00 pm Watercolor Landscape - Teen Class

The Rahr-West

Mother\u2019s Day Weekend at MCHS
Sat, 09 May at 10:00 am Mother’s Day Weekend at MCHS

924 Pinecrest Road, Manitowoc, WI, United States, Wisconsin 54220

Death Caf\u00e9 - Manitowoc, WI
Sat, 09 May at 12:00 pm Death Café - Manitowoc, WI

Black Heart Books

World Migratory Bird Day
Sat, 09 May at 01:00 pm World Migratory Bird Day

1215 N 8th Street, Manitowoc, WI, United States, Wisconsin 54220

THE RIG at Salute to Everyone
Sat, 09 May at 08:00 pm THE RIG at Salute to Everyone

Salute To Everyone

Cars & Coffee @ Retro Eighth
Sun, 10 May at 09:00 am Cars & Coffee @ Retro Eighth

Retro Eighth Coffee & Açaí 801 N 8th St, Manitowoc, WI 54220

Manitowoc is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Manitowoc Events