Replicas of Columbus Ships Nina and Pinta Return to Wyandotte

Opportunity Grosse Ile and the city of Wyandotte are again co-hosting the visit of two of the three ships – the Nina and the Pinta – that Christopher Columbus commanded when he explored the American continents starting in 1492 and set the stage for European colonization of the “New World.”

The ships will dock at Bishop Park on the Detroit River in Wyandotte where they will be open to tours by the public from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.Wednesday, Aug. 13, through Sunday, Aug. 17, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The ships will arrive at the Bishop Park dock on Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 12.

The visit to Wyandotte will be the only stop by the ships in eastern Michigan before sailing to the Lake Michigan coast and destinations in other Great Lakes states.

The Nina and Pinta replica ships serve as floating museums operated by the Columbus Foundation, which is located in the British Virgin Islands, and are regarded as the most historically accurate reproductions of the famous ships.

During 2014, the Columbus Foundation scheduled public tours of the ships at United States ports in the East, Great lakes Region and South.

» More photos found here.

Opportunity Grosse Ile states, “A tour of the Columbus ships is educational for the entire family,” according to a spokesman for Opportunity Grosse Ile. “The Nina and Pinta provide a ‘hands on’ experience representative both of early European exploration of the Americas and of those vessels that 150 years later first sailed the Great Lakes under explorers such as LaSalle and Cadillac – both of whom landed on Grosse Ile.”

The ships last visited Bishop park in Wyandotte in 2012, drawing more than 6,000 visitors.

Columbus Foundation staff members will provide visitors with guided tours running approximately 30 minutes that will explain life on, and operations of, these ships. This family-friendly tour is highly recommended for schoolchildren and history buffs that enjoy learning through unique first-hand experiences.

The 2014 visit by the Nina and Pinta has been extended by two additional weekdays to allow visitors –especially seniors - faster access to the ships and a more leisurely tour once aboard.

Also in 2014, boat tours of the Detroit River, including Bob-Lo and Amherstburg, Ontario, will be available on the Diamond Jack from the same dock area. Visitors can learn about these and other activities and sites throughout the area here.

General admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors (age 60+) and $6 for ages 5-16 (not in a school group). Children 4 and younger get in free.

Groups and school tours with a minimum of 15 people are $4 per person. To make reservations for groups and school tours, please call the Columbus Foundation at (787) 672-2152, e-mail columfnd@gmail.com, or register online.

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PHOTO: Historically authentic replicas of the Nina and Pinta will visit Wyandotte later this month. (Photo by David Grimmel)