"History is fun!" Students can't get enough of new Port Exploreum maritime museum in Port Washington

PORT WASHINGTON (WITI) -- The Historical Society in Port Washington has found a way to combine history and fun at their brand new maritime museum! It opened two weeks ago, and students in the area can't get enough.

Sixth-graders at Thomas Jefferson School in Port Washington visited the maritime museum Tuesday, May 5th. It was David Kruger's second time at the new "Port Exploreum."

"History is fun! It`s more better than math and science," Kruger said.

Kruger says he feels smarter every time he visits the Port Exploreum.

"Yeah, and I feel happier too," Kruger said.

The maritime museum features interactive technology that is meant to educate.

"It`s really fun here and it`s amazing how they transformed this building," sixth-grader Anna Russell said.

The building that houses the maritime museum dates back to 1907! When it was built, it was used as a business club for men -- complete with a bowling alley. You can still see the pin markings on the floor. It was then later turned into a bank and grocery store and sat vacant for several years until 2012 when an anonymous donor on the East Coast donated a million dollars to the Historical Society to purchase it.

"It was very humbling to think that that person would think that much about this city to save the building and leave a footprint that was going to vanish was quite exciting also," Wayne Chrusciel, executive director of the Port Washington Historical Society said.

It took three years to complete the maritime museum. Many of the building's original features remain, while lighting was updated with fixtures that help to capture the maritime feel.

"It`s really a way to capture what has been in Port Washington and also the important role that Lake Michigan played in the development of Port," Chrusciel said.

The Port Exploreum's grand opening is set for this weekend! The Vernon Biever featured exhibit will be open until mid-October.