03-05-2025
Wisconsin Maritime Museum's garden project assisted by $40,000 state grant
MANITOWOC – Wisconsin Maritime Museum's creation of the new Captain Carus Maritime Garden on Franklin Street is now being supported by a $40,000 Vibrant Spaces Grant.
The grant comes from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and will help the museum "convert over 20,000 square feet of asphalt into a vibrant outdoor exhibit space and perennial garden," according to a new release from the museum.
The new public space will be adjacent to the future Wisconsin Maritime Heritage Center, an extension of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, and will be situated on museum-owned property on the southwest corner of Franklin Street and 12th Street.
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The Captain Carus Maritime Garden, named in honor of Capt. Edward Carus, who lived and died on this historic property, will feature improvements such as replacing the asphalt with new planting areas and trees, and incorporating maritime artifacts into the landscape.
The park will also include an outdoor classroom area, accessible parking, new lighting, updated signs and exterior enhancements to adjacent buildings.
As the former home of Carus, the space will also feature a public archaeology component exploring the foundation of the Carus home.
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The news release states: "This transformation is the product of a strong and growing partnership between the Wisconsin Maritime Museum and the City of Manitowoc. The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to revitalizing the Franklin Street corridor and celebrating Manitowoc's rich maritime heritage."
Construction of the Garden is expected to begin this summer with an estimated opening date in 2026.
Funding for the garden has also included grants from the Ruth St. John and John Dunham West Foundation and the Fund for Lake Michigan. Community fundraising and volunteer efforts will also support the project as it is implemented.
Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc. She can be reached by email at aschafer@
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Wisconsin Maritime Museum garden project assisted by $40K state grant
