Friends of the Chicago Portage: "Renee-Robert Cavalier Sier de LaSalle" December 18, 2010

Friends of the Chicago Portage are pleased to have presenter Rich Gross, historian for the Great Lakes Exploration Group. Rich will be discussing Renee-Robert Cavalier Sier de LaSalle, the remarkable 17th Century French explorer who (during the winter of 1682 while using the Chicago Portage) made it down to the Gulf of Mexico and claimed the territory "Louisiana" in honor of the King Louis the 14th. La Salle spent many other times exploring what would later become Chicago and he had some fascinating accounts of the Chicago Portage. It was during his initial voyage when his men built the "Griffin", the first sailing ship in the upper Great Lakes but which was lost in 1679. It's disappearance has been shrouded in mystery and speculations for years.

In 2001, the president of the “Great Lakes Exploration Group” discovered what he believes to be the resting place of this historical vessel. In July 2010, after several years of litigation, an agreement was finally reached between that group, the State of Michigan, and Republic of France for cooperation in a phase 2 archaeological site assessment for what may be the site of this 331 year old ship wreck on the bottom of Lake Michigan.

Rich Gross was a participant in a 1976 recreation of LaSalle’s 1682 voyage, and it was his continued interest and obsession which resulted in his appointment as the official historian of the venture by the “Great Lakes Exploration Group”. Rich will discuss LaSalle’s experiences in early Chicago and the fascinating story of the “Griffin”, the Great Lakes lost vessel!

Light refreshments will be served. Reservations are required and you must RSVP by calling Jeff Carter at (312) 771-6855 before December 13th 2010 or checking our website www.chicagoportage.org.

Official Website: http://www.chicagoportage.org