After more than a century devoted to transporting at least four generations of Detroiters – school children, church and civic groups, and hundreds of thousands of tourists – the 1902-built National Historic Landmark steamboat SS Columbia seemed destined for the scrapyard. Thanks to a collective of Detroit- and New York-based historic preservationists, maritime engineers, historians, and civic leaders, Columbia is ready to begin a hopeful new life of service on New York’s waterways.

“With a good imagination—and sea legs to navigate the gaping holes in the wooden decks—it is possible to picture cruising along the Hudson River aboard the S.S. Columbia, taking a twirl in the ballroom or sipping a brew in its beer garden.” (Wall Street Journal, Feb 4, 2016)

As Executive Director from 2014-2018 and later Board Member from 2018-2020, Liz worked with an amazing crew on the restoration steamboat. To date, the project has raised $4.6 million for capital projects and operations, including stabilizing the hull and towing the boat from Detroit to Toledo to Buffalo, where it is now undergoing further work.

In addition to the restoration efforts, the team also reactivated Columbia with onboard programming ranging from tours to immersive theater productions to student-led fashion shows to events in partnership with community groups and art organizations. Educational partnerships included the Historic Preservation program at the University of Buffalo School of Architecture and Planning, and the Design For American team at New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering.

To see the stories of Detroiters (and one Canadian) whose lives were touched by Columbia watch the video A People’s History of Columbia organized and managed by the brilliant preservationist Emilie Evans. For another look at Columbia check out the music video for Lost Horizons’ track “Score The Sky” directed by Derrick Belcham.  

Photo credits: Columbia arriving in Buffalo, Gene Witkowski; Columbia in shipyard, SS Columbia Project.