Prior to and during the Civil War era, small but fast (in comparison with previous technology) palace steamers carried passengers and freight over the Great Lakes to Chicago.

Urban redevelopment efforts, inspired by architect Daniel Burnham and his 1909 Plan of Chicago, bulldozed down many dockside warehouses and working loft buildings.

[3] Advocates call for a second peak of Chicago maritime history in the 21st century, this time oriented toward upper-class housing and waterway-oriented lifestyle experiences.

During its early years, the Maritime Society worked closely with the Lake Michigan diving community (See "Affiliated groups").

"[2] The museum's Bridgeport location[3] pays tribute to a neighborhood that began with Chicago's Irish American canal-digging navvies, a key support group within the city's maritime history.