Documentary about Lake St. Clair, 2 early settlements premieres Thursday
A documentary about Lake St. Clair and the search for the remains of two early settlements believed to have been consumed by its rising waters around 1855 will premiere Thursday in Macomb County.
County officials said researchers, historians and archeologists have been working for decades to find artifacts and supporting documentation of the sites — the village of Belvidere and the Church of St. Felicity. Water levels and other factors have made this challenging: Efforts the filmmaker, Robert Kreipke, showcases in the documentary called "Hidden History of Lake St. Clair."
The European settlements were lost to flooding and abandoned in nearshore lake waters in Macomb County.
"We've been working on this project for several years and the film for an entire year now, and I am so pleased with the results," Gerry Santoro, the county's program director for parks and natural resources, said in a release.
"Our filmmakers and historians have done a phenomenal job uncovering information and documents that relate to Lake St. Clair and local settlers from the 1800s. We're focused on some stories that have truly never been told before. So, attendees will walk away with new knowledge of, and hopefully new appreciation for, our lake and gateway to the Great Lakes."
Lake St. Clair is along two of Michigan's most populous counties, as well as the U.S. and Canada. It's beloved by boaters and freighters, sunbathers and anglers, and is an important freshwater resource for nearby residents and creatures.
Last summer, county officials announced a new study of the lake and its coastal zones that indicated it has a $1.6 billion economic impact to Macomb County and the region and more than 18,000 jobs.
The county’s planning and economic development department will premiere the grant-funded film at a fundraiser at Macomb Community College's Macomb Center for the Performing Arts, 44575 Garfield Road, in Clinton Township.
After the film, there will be a moderated discussion with Kreipke; Capt. Luke Clyburn, president of the Noble Odyssey Foundation; Wayne Lusardi, Michigan's state maritime archaeologist; and Dan Harrison, a maritime archaeologist at Wayne State University.
Kreipke, Ford Motor Co.'s corporate historian emeritus and an award-winning documentary filmmaker, said in the release that the lake "boasts the largest freshwater delta in the world. Great imagery depicts this fabulous freshwater treasure in the underwater search for the lost town of Belvidere and the St. Felicity Church. This film takes the audience on an adventure through aerial photography, underwater photography and much more as it highlights the remarkable features of Lake St. Clair."
The event will benefit the Noble Odyssey Foundation, which advances knowledge of the Great Lakes and brings together scientists, educators, volunteers and youth, including Sea Cadets, for underwater projects; as well as the Macomb County Chamber’s new Blue Economy Committee, which is looking to promote the lake and boost the economy around it.
Clyburn said the research is to "tell the unknown story of the water. The summer has been busy with cadets using scuba diving equipment to look under the waters of Lake St. Clair and to film this wonderful history. This film has been made to go into the school systems and help to develop young people's interest in caring for our Great Lakes."
The premiere event is sold out, Santoro said, but those interested in seeing the film can check www.MakeMacombYourHome.com for future showings.
Contact Christina Hall: chall@freepress.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @challreporter.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Documentary about Lake St. Clair, 2 early settlements to premiere
