A special history boat cruise will focus on legendary Hoosier author Kurt Vonnegut Jr.’s connections to Lake Maxinkuckee, and will take attendees into a restored 1890 cottage where the late author spent many childhood summers.
The boat cruise will launch from Culver Marina, 3000 East Shore Drive in Culver (www.culvermarina.com), on Wednesday, Aug. 9 at 6:30 p.m., will delve into the extensive history of the Vonnegut family and related families, who occupied a number of cottages on the lake’s east shore, starting in the 1870s.
Local historian Jeff Kenney will lead the cruise, which will dock at the cottage of Clemens Vonnegut Jr., recently restored to its late 1800s architecture and aesthetics, and which won recognition and awards statewide. Attendees will tour the cottage and learn about other Vonnegut-related properties in the area. More information about the house is available online at vonneguthouse.com.
Kurt Vonnegut, author of “Slaughterhouse Five” and other renowned works, made a number of references to his childhood on Maxinkuckee, calling the lake his “Aegean Sea” and “my Eden lost,” in reference to a golden childhood spent playing on its shores and swimming its waters.
In addition to the Vonnegut cruise, the Marina sponsors history cruises around the lake which examine the remarkable legacy of its Native Americans, famous residents, Culver Academies, and more. The last general lake history cruise of the summer takes place Sat., Aug. 12. Private historic cruises are also available upon request.
Those wishing to reserve seats may call 574-842-3375 or contact Jessica in the BoardShop.
PHOTO CUTLINE: A circa 1890s photo shows members of the Vonnegut family at the Clemens Vonnegut Jr. cottage on Lake Maxinkuckee. A tour of the cottage will be part of an Aug. 9 history cruise at the lake.
By Jeff Kenney
