The Keweenaw History Museum

The Keweenaw's history is a complex mixture of mining, shipping, tourism, and the struggles of everyday life on America’s early ‘Western” frontier. The Keweenaw History museum contains displays that look at each of these areas. The Eagle Harbor exhibit shows photographs of the development of Eagle Harbor from a mining town and then a lumber community to an early tourist destination. The history of mining is displayed through photographs and artifacts that trace the 6,000 year old history of mining in the Keweenaw. The wreck of the S. S. Bangor in 1926 near Copper Harbor and its load of Chrysler automobiles is examined in detail. Life in the Keweenaw is shown through photos, artworks, and even one of the 1926 Chryslers from the S.S. Bangor.

(Photo: In addition to small size mineral specimens, the museum has large objects such as the car in the background that tells the story of the wreck of the S.S. Bangor.)

The Keweenaw County Historical Keweenaw History Museum is located on the grounds of the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse complex in Eagle Harbor, Michigan. It is located in the old Coast Guard garage building on the site.

Since 1982 the Keweenaw County Historical Society has maintained four museums at the light station. Besides the lighthouse, they include a Maritime Museum in the old fog signal building, a Keweenaw History Museum located in the old U. S. Coast Guard Station garage, and Commercial Fishing Museum located in one of the assistant keepers' buildings which was moved from the original Lifesaving Station across the harbor to this site when the station closed.

(Photo: The Museum has objects ranging from local art, artifacts, minerals, and mining items such as float copper and a wooden kibble.)

Visiting The Keweenaw History Museum

Hours & Admission-  The Keweenaw History Museum is part of the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse Complex and is open from mid-June to early October.   The 2022 opening date expected is June 19th.  Hours for June, September and October are 12 - 5 PM.  July and August hours are  10 AM - 5 PM,  Monday-Saturday  and 12 - 5 PM on Sundays.  Admission $8.00.  Children and KCHS members free. 

Location- The Keweenaw History Museum is located in the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse Complex, located on Lighthouse Drive. GPS: N 47 27.560 W 88 09.600, Decimal Degrees: 47.459330, -88.160000

Related Links-

• Keweenaw National Historical park website
• A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum
• Michigan Tech Archives & Copper Country Historical Collections
• Keweenaw Convention & Visitors Bureau
• E.W. Courter’s "Michigan’s Copper Country" (PDF)
  

News:

KCHS museum sites and cottage rentals will be open for the 2022 season.  Please see the site and rental webpages for specific dates and operation information.

The Keweenaw County Historical Society’s Board of Directors will follow the COVID-19 Epidemic Orders issued by the State of Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services.  These public health orders are updated as needed, so KCHS may need to change access to buildings and events.

Please check back for updates.