Badger given national landmark status.

“This iconic ship is a part of Northern Michigan history, and I am happy to learn that it will be recognized accordingly,” Congressman Dan Benishek (R-Iron River) of Michigan’s 1st Congressional District said. “Every year, the Badger brings thousands of families across Lake Michigan to enjoy the Pure Michigan experience.  This ship is a part of our culture and heritage, and I will always work to ensure that it can continue to serve our state.”

“The SS Badger is a unique example of American ingenuity in transportation that has been crucial to our country’s economic development over the last century,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “As the National Park Service celebrates its centennial anniversary, we look forward to a second century of helping preserve the more than 2,500 historic places and objects like the Badger that bear the distinction of being National Historic Landmarks.”

National Historic Landmarks (NHLs) are historic resources that illustrate the heritage of the United States. NHLs come in many forms: historic buildings, sites, structures, objects, and districts. Each NHL represents an outstanding aspect of American history and culture.

The National Historic Landmarks program, established in 1935, is administered by the National Park Service on behalf of the Secretary of the Interior. The agency works with preservation officials, private property owners, and other partners interested in nominating properties for National Historic Landmark designation. Completed nominations are reviewed by the National Park System Advisory Board, which makes recommendations for designation to the Secretary of the Interior. If selected, property ownership remains intact but each site receives a plaque and technical preservation assistance.