TRAVERSE CITY (WKZO AM/FM) — Historical controversies took to the water this week in West Michigan.
The Lowell Showboat has been called the Robert E. Lee since 1932, when it was named after one of the most famous paddlewheel river boats to ply the Mississippi.
It’s being replaced by a new boat next year, and not only has the city decided to give it a different name, but will be removing the name off the old boat soon.
The decision is the result of this week’s events in Charlottesville.
When the Nina, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria landed in the Bahamas in 1492, the natives didn’t quite know what to make of it. When replicas of the Nina and the Pinta landed in Traverse City this week, they were met by protestors, including members of the Grand Traverse Band.
They have a different view of Christopher Columbus than you may have learned in High School.
While some protestors tried to keep the ships from docking by taking out small boats and kayaks, others shouted.
The tribe plans to set up an informational table near the ticket booth for the floating museums to offer an alternative view of the history of the famed Italian explorer, for the next few days while the two ships are docked.
The two replica sailing ships will be docking in South Haven on August 31st for a similar visit.
