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
2019 Schedule and Brochure
Museum Hours
June 17, 2019, through September 1, 2019
Sunday 1-4
Monday - Saturday 11-5
Before and after Season hours:
Weekends only 1-4 PM Memorial Day through Father's Day and Labor Day through Bite of Beaver (Oct. 5).
View Brochure for complete schedule
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
View the most recent updates at https://www.facebook.com/BeaverIslandHistoricalSociety/
The lighthouse tower is now unlocked for the summer. The tower top needs a good sweeping (if you are looking for something to do on your next boodle bring a broom!). We are aware of a broken window and will be repairing soon. Please beware of the glass until it has been removed.
In just 30 short days it will be Museum Week and we will once again kick off the week with a "This Place Matters" Community Picnic at the lighthouse. The new owners (Charlevoix County and Networks Northwest) will attend the event and share and share their visions for the property and public use.
So save the date!
Beaver Head Lighthouse
July 14, 2019
12-4 PM
Food 12-1
Speakers: BIHS, Charlevoix County & Networks Northwest
Music: Celtic Kilroy
And appropriately a group "This Place Matters" photo!
Wednesday and Saturday the Whiskey Point Lighthouse Tower is open 11-1 and Protars is open 1-3. Both museums are open 11-5 Monday - Saturday and 1-4 on Sunday.
We are heading in Sunday. Any events going on this coming week?
Glad you know about the broken glass. I saw it Thursday but didn’t have my broom...!
wvbi.biccenter.org/event/bi-historical-society-lighthouse-tours
BI Historical Society Lighthouse Tours (2019-06-26)
Whiskey Point Lighthouse tours, climb the tower! Every Wednesday and Saturday, 11-1. What a View!Wouldn't it be fun to be a docent/guide volunteer at the Beaver Island Marine Museum this summer? Docent/ volunteer training this Friday 10:30 - 12 at Peaine TWP. Looking for more volunteers.
Hours of operation this weekend: This weekend 1-4 Saturday and Sunday. After June16th-11-5 Mon – sat
Sun 1-4
I would totally be a docent at the Marine Museum if I lived on Beaver Island. And my husband would too, especially since he is a great grandson of Shing Martin.😄
www.lighthousedigest.com/Digest/StoryPage.cfm?StoryKey=1253, Women Lighthouse Keepers were among the first women to work and live independently even before women won the right to vote.
Photography by Frank Solle / Stillpoint Photography