Beaver Island Historical Society Welcomes You to Our Past
The Beaver Island Historical Society was founded in 1957 to collect and share the fascinating history of Beaver Island. A remote island in Lake Michigan, it has witnessed many interesting and unique historical events, and has been home to various groups including Native Americans, a Mormon branch known as the Strangites, Irish immigrants, fisherman, lumberjacks, and many more.
King Strang
The Historical Society currently operates two museums on the Island, the Print Shop Museum and the Marine Museum, as well as two additional historical sites: Heritage Park and the Protar Home. We offer several resources and services to our visitors, including genealogical research, copies of archival photos, and a series of historical journals and other books for purchase. Additionally, we host many events throughout the year to promote the Island’s history.
Explore our history, find out about the king, fishing, shipwrecks, island life, natural history, our Irish heritage, and much more.
For an overview of Beaver Island History please visit: http://www.beaverisland.net/beaver-island-history
Museum Hours
Closed for the season and will reopen May 2019. Please call 231.448.2254 for more information.
Construction Update
The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that a legacy benefactor, George Bisbee of Jackson MI, provided the Society just over $500,000, which will be used for financing the Print Shop Addition, including some of the exhibits. The Board is also grateful to the many Island benefactors who have supported the expansion concept and contributed to the capital campaign already and to those future benefactors who will continue to support the Society in fulfilling the vision to share the unique historical stories of the Archipelago through the renovated and expanded museum.
Architectural services are being provided pro-bono by Ebersoldt + Associates Architects, and its owner, Vince Ebersoldt, a long-time Island visitor, Island property owner and benefactor, as well as a BIHS Trustee. The Board of Trustees are extremely grateful to Vince and his team for the work they are doing on behalf of the Society, helping to keep Island History Alive!
Read more...
From Our Facebook Page
A flash to the past.
I’m new to this group and to BI history. Is this a ferry? Three of my great-great aunts (the Gallagher sisters) and two cousins died in the sinking of the Vernon.
I'm sure my mom and all her relatives (O'Donnell) rode that ferry.
Was on that ferry in a terrible storm...NOT a fun trip! Love that island and the people that live there!!
There are three little headstones in memory of the sisters at Holy Cross. Very interesting sad chapter in vol.3
so cool
Any idea what year this was from?
Would you like to become a member or renew your membership online? We have an exciting summer line up taking shape and with your help the Beaver Island Historical Society can and will share our unique history within our community and with the thousands of tourists who visit the Island every year. Below is the link to our website.
Membership in Beaver Island Historical Society
beaverislandhistory.org
Beaver Island Historical Society Membership benefits- 10% discount on gift shop items, 20% on genealogy research, copy of A Beaver Island Scrapbook and more
The Print Shop is the main base. We also have a Marine Museum and the cabin pictured above is the Protar House.
Trying to get a place on the island.. would love to join.
Are you located in the old Morman Print Shop?
Twenty-Five people attended our first session. Please consider joining us this coming Monday evening. We will be talking about the 1960's at this session.
1960’s Oral History Meeting January 21, 2019 Discussion Topics 1. People on Island from 1960 – 1969 2. Population through 1960’s (census 1960 ?, local unofficial counts) 3. Ferry Service (Beaver Islander, Dock) 4. Change in the Economy (Home Construction, Game Fishing) 5. Restaurants (The Beaver Tail, Circle M Supper Club, King Strang Hotel, Beaver Lodge) 6. Businesses in 1960’s (Cabin Rentals, McDonough’s & LaFreniere Stores) (Rest of List …..) 7. Facilities (Change in School Buildings, CMU Biological Station & Fire Department) 8. Tourism (Perch runs, Rabbit & Deer Hunting, Other Islands Fishing, Tours, Cabin Rentals, Dawn Patrols (fly-ins), Homecoming Week) 9. Health Care
Great picture! Quick question if you don't mind......what was the name of the bar that was there(& maybe still is) in the 60's & 70's? I watched the Moon landing there with my dad! 😊🏝️
That's around the time dad (Dick Burris )had the taxi and dive shop ?
Wish I could be there! Best times of my life on BI in the 60’s!
Maria Thundersmom
The summer of 1955 collection of the Beaver Beacons have been uploaded to our Website. Enjoy.
www.beaverislandhistory.org/beaver-beacon/
beaverislandhistory.org
Beaver Beacon Newspapers were published monthly on Beaver Island from 1955 until 2018. Copies of the paper are available on this websiteUpdate!UPDATE: Due to weather the tonight's meeting will be held tomorrow evening (January 8). Same time and place. PLEASE SHARE WITH OTHERS. BEAVER ISLAND ORAL HISTORY PROJECT: 1950s-1970s. Please visit our website and click on the event calendar for more information. January session dates: Jan 7 & 21, 2019 7-9 P.M. at the St. James Township Hall.
Photography by Frank Solle / Stillpoint Photography