Valerie van Heest is an underwater explorer, award-winning author, and a partner in the museum exhibit design firm Lafferty van Heest & Associates in Holland, Michigan. She also serves as the president of the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association, where she has spearheaded the discovery of 20 shipwrecks off West Michigan and has directed the archeological investigations of over 50 shipwrecks, producing site drawings, articles, documentary films, and museum exhibits, as well as writing eight books, many of which won literary awards. Her work earned her induction to the Women Divers Hall of Fame in 2008 and led to her appearances on episodes of National Geographic, Science, Travel, and History Channels’ television series and coverage in countless print, television, and radio news stories. She is a regular guest speaker sharing the stories of her adventures and discoveries in ways that educate, entertain, and inspire.
She was named the 2025 Historian of the Year by Detroit Marine Historical Society (the first woman so honored in 56 years). She received the Joyce C. Hayward Award for Historic Interpretation from the Association for Great Lakes Maritime History. The Historical Society of Michigan honored Valerie with a State History Award in 2007 for her volunteer work in preserving and promoting Michigan’s maritime history.
Exploring Great Lakes Shipwrecks
Interpreting the past for the present
Writing Books and Articles
Read Valerie’s award-winning books
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Sharing Her Adventures
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Schedule a Program at your conference of your museum, library, senior center, church or club. |
Designing Museum Exhibits
Whether a maritime or other topics, Valerie’s firms provides full service curatorial, design, fabrication, and installation services.
