The Conesus Lake Shipwreck survey is in the process of forming a 501c(3) nonprofit to Help Us Preserve the Lost Voices of Conesus Lake

Conesus Lake NY rich underwater heritage is home to 22 historic and archaeological sites Beneath the quiet surface of Conesus Lake lie stories that were never meant to be forgotten.

A 1948 Cadillac hearse ambulance that vanished through the ice on a winter night in 1962.

Six small boats resting together in a silent row.

A century‑old steamer dock that once carried families, freight, and hope.

A rare fishing trawler built by hands long gone.

Fragments of lives, choices, risks, and ordinary days that ended in extraordinary ways.

These are not just wrecks.

They are memories.

They are pieces of our community’s soul.

And right now, they are disappearing.

Why I’m Asking for Your Help

My name is Ericamarie Schultz. I’ve spent more than 50 years diving — over 10,000 dives in black water, wrecks, and places where light doesn’t reach. I’ve dedicated my life to underwater archaeology because I believe history deserves witnesses, even when it lies in the dark.

Conesus Lake has become my life’s work.

Not because the wrecks are grand — but because they are ours.

Every time I descend, I feel the weight of responsibility. These sites are fragile. They are unprotected. And they are fading faster than most people realize. Wood softens. Metal collapses. Silt buries details that will never return.

If we don’t document them now, we lose them forever.

What Your Support Makes Possible

We are a small team of trained volunteer divers. No salaries. No overhead. No institutional funding. Just passion, skill, and a commitment to preserving the stories beneath the lake.

But the work is expensive.

Each research season cost about $4,000 — fuel, breathing gas, safety systems, equipment maintenance, and the specialized tools needed to work in deep, dark, low‑visibility water.

Your donation directly supports:

-Forming the 501c3

- Safe access to deep and hazardous sites

- High‑quality photography and video documentation

- Mapping and recording fragile structures

- Repeat visits to track changes over time

- Conservation of information for museums, researchers, and the community

Every dollar becomes part of the record we leave behind.

Why This Matters

These wrecks are more than artifacts. They are human stories frozen in time.

The ambulance that sank in 1962 isn’t just a vehicle — it’s a moment of fear, survival, and luck.

Shipwreck Row isn’t just a cluster of boats — it’s a portrait of lake life across generations.

The steamer dock isn’t just wood and nails — it’s the echo of families traveling, working, and building a community.

When we document these sites, we honor the people who lived these stories.

We give future generations a chance to understand where they come from.

We keep the lake’s memory alive.

What You Receive as a Supporter

You’re not just donating — you’re joining the team.

Supporters receive:

- Regular updates from the field

- Dive logs and behind‑the‑scenes notes

- Photographs and video summaries of new discoveries

- A front‑row seat to the unfolding story of Conesus Lake

You’ll see exactly how your contribution makes a difference.

A Personal Note

Every time I surface from a dive, I think about how lucky we are to live near a lake with such depth — not just in water, but in history. These wrecks have waited decades for someone to listen.

I’m asking for your help so we can keep listening.

If you can give, thank you.

If you can share this campaign, thank you.

If you simply care about the stories beneath the water, thank you.

Together, we can make sure Conesus Lake’s hidden history is not lost to time.

The First $3,000 dollars we raise will be used to form our 501c(3) nonprofit so that the community can make tax deductible contributions to help us achieve our research and preservation goals.