The Third Coast: How the Great Lakes Shaped America

This program will examine the rich history of the Great Lakes region, particularly its role in U.S. expansion, through transportation, economic growth and defense, and relatable genealogical record sets. The program begins with an examination of the geography of the region, including early Native American influences. We will tour through topics such as commerce, shipping, war and defense, various ethnic groups that settled the area, and useful records for Great Lakes researchers.