| The
Christmas Ship |
|
The
Arrival
This
famous painting by marine painter Charles
Vickery, depicts The Rouse Simmons coming in to the
port of Chicago in the late 1800's with a Christmas tree lashed
to her topmast. |
Imagine
a tall ship,
a three-masted sailing schooner, sailing down Lake Michigan at the
end of the shipping season.
Imagine
a bright evergreen tree tied to her topmost mast, and the scent
of pine wafting in to shore as the ship, laden with fresh-cut pine
trees, headed for southern ports such as Chicago and Milwaukee.
Imagine
picking your fresh-cut Christmas tree right off the boat, and taking
it home to start your holiday season.
This
was the scene in November and December
in Milwaukee, Chicago and many other Great Lakes cities, during
the heyday of the lumber trade on the Great Lakes-around the end
of nineteenth century, and in Chicago, re-enacted right up until
the early 1930s. |
Join
Lee Murdock as he celebrates this holiday tradition in song,
along with many other songs and stories about the Great Lakes.
The
Thirteenth Annual Christmas Ship Concert
Saturday,
November 27, 2004
Two shows: 5:30 p.m or 8:30 p.m.
at the College
of DuPage Arts Center
(see link for map & pictures)
425 Fawell Blvd, Glen Ellyn, Illinois
Tickets are $20.00/19.00. Order early to reserve
the best seats, in the warm, intimate Theater II space.
For
Reservations and Info: 630-942-4000 or online
|
Other
Christmas Ship Appearances by Lee Murdock for 2003:
(LAST
YEAR'S APPEARANCES -- WATCH HERE FOR UPDATES)
Saturday,
December 5-6, 2003:
Navy Pier, Chicago, Illinois
The US Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw will re-enact
the Christmas Ship tradition again this weekend, at Navy Pier
Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Lee Murdock and WCCQ
Radio personality Rich Renik will present music and stories
in the indoor rotunda at Navy Pier (near IMax). free.
Saturday,
December 20, 2003,
7:00-8:00 p.m. Brookfield Zoo
Holiday Magic features stories and songs by Rich
Renik and Lee Murdock
A
Few More Christmas Ship Links:
Historian
and Author Fred
Neuschel hosts the definitive site for historical information
about The Rouse Simmons and dozens of other Christmas Tree ships
that sailed the Great Lakes.
Chicago's
Christmas Ship re-enactment at Navy Pier, with the USCG
Cutter Mackinaw.
The
Bailiwick Theater's annual production, The
Christmas Schooner by John Reeger and Julie Shannon
The
Christmas Schooner Musical in Door County
The
Clipper Ship Gallery, in Brookfield, Illinois, home port
for the late maritime artist, Charles Vickery
Port
Washington Maritime Center
|
| The
Recording ... |
| 
Released
1998
Total Playing Time: 59:48
Available on CD or Cassette |
Great
Lakes Chronicle ... Live
Great Lakes
Chronicle is a unique item in the Lee Murdock collection, a live
two-CD set including 8 solo performances, and 12 songs recorded
with his band. This is the CD which includes Lee's live performance
of his original song, The Christmas Ship, about the Rouse Simmons.
The 9:13 minute performance includes a live telling of the story,
from an earlier Christmas Ship concert. |
| |
