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 City of Bangor in 1926 near Copper Harbor and its load of new 1927 model Chrysler automobiles is examined in detail. Life in the Keweenaw is shown through photos, artworks, and even one of the Chryslers from the City of Bangor shipwreck.

(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

2025 Season- June 15th through October 12th
Hours-

• June - Noon to 5 PM
• July - 10 AM to 5 PM Mon-Sat; Noon to 5 PM Sun
• August - 10 AM to 5 PM Mon-Sat; Noon to 5 PM Sun
• September - Noon to 5 PM
• October - Noon to 5 PM

Location- The Keweenaw History Museum is located in the Eagle Harbor Lighthouse Complex, located at 670 Lighthouse Drive, not far from the swimming beach along M26 in Eagle Harbor.  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)
  

Another exciting season starts-
Our volunteers have been hard at work and are looking forward to sharing our history with you.

SITE SCHEDULES

A Call For Volunteers
KCHS is 100% volunteer driven and our volunteers are profoundly motivated. Do you have some free time to help us in our mission to preserve and share history? Please check out our VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

••••••

New Virtual Lighthouse Tour
As one of the Keweenaw's many treasures, Eagle Harbor Lighthouse was chosen as one of the online virtual tours provided by Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Visit Keweenaw.

This tour includes an exclusive view of the lantern room (closed to the public) and a view only experienced by lightkeepers.

EAGLE HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE VIRTUAL TOUR

And don't miss the tours of other area landmarks.

SEE ALL EVENTS