Chippewa County Historical Society - Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Introduction

The Chippewa County Historical Society, nestled in the heart of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, is a treasure trove of local history and culture. This non-profit organization is dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the rich heritage of the Chippewa County region. With a wide array of exhibits, educational programs, and community events, the Chippewa County Historical Society offers a unique and engaging experience for both locals and visitors alike.

Main Services

• Museum Exhibits: The society maintains a diverse collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of Chippewa County's past. These exhibits span topics such as Native American history, industry, agriculture, and everyday life.
• Educational Programs: The Chippewa County Historical Society offers a variety of educational programs for students and adults. These include guided tours, workshops, and lectures designed to enhance understanding of the region's history.
• Community Events: The society hosts several community events throughout the year, including living history demonstrations, historic home tours, and special exhibits. These events provide opportunities for people to engage with history in interactive and fun ways.
• Research Services: The society's library and archives are open to the public for research purposes. Here, visitors can access a wealth of information about Chippewa County's history, genealogy, and more.

Location and Access

The Chippewa County Historical Society is located at 115 Ashmun St, in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This address places the society within walking distance of many local attractions, restaurants, and shops. The building is easily accessible, featuring a wheelchair-accessible entrance and on-site parking. Public transportation is also available, with several bus stops nearby.

Featured Characteristics

• Historic Building: The society's building is a historic structure itself, having been built in 1874 as the Old Courthouse. This beautiful, Victorian-era building has been carefully restored and maintained to preserve its architectural integrity.
• Gift Shop: The society's gift shop offers a variety of unique items, including books, souvenirs, and locally made crafts. It's the perfect place to find a memento of your visit or a gift for someone special.
• Research Library and Archives: The society's library and archives contain thousands of documents, photographs, and artifacts related to Chippewa County history. These resources are invaluable for anyone interested in learning more about the region's past.

Practical Information

• Admission: Admission to the Chippewa County Historical Society is free, although donations are welcome. Special events may have separate admission fees.
• Hours: The society is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 am to 5 pm. It is closed on Sundays, Mondays, and major holidays.
• Contact: You can reach the Chippewa County Historical Society by phone at 906-635-7082 or by email at [email protected]. The society's website, cchsmi.com, also provides a wealth of information about the society and its exhibits.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

Many aspects of the Chippewa County Historical Society have been praised in customer reviews. Some of the most commonly mentioned positive aspects include:

• Knowledgeable and Friendly Staff: Reviewers often comment on the friendliness and expertise of the society's staff and volunteers. The staff is known for their ability to provide insightful and engaging information about the exhibits and the history of Chippewa County.
• Variety of Exhibits: The society's diverse collection of exhibits has been praised for its breadth and depth. Reviewers appreciate the opportunity to learn about a wide range of topics related to Chippewa County's history.
• Engaging Community Events: The society's community events have been lauded for their interactive and fun nature. These events provide opportunities for people of all ages to engage with history in creative and meaningful ways.
• Well-Maintained Facilities: Reviewers often comment on the cleanliness and well-maintained nature of the society's historic building. The society does an excellent job preserving and maintaining this beautiful, historic structure.

👍 Reviews of Chippewa County Historical Society

pocahontas R.

4/5

the ladies here are very knowledgeable! friendly & helpful it was a wonderful place to stop in there are numerous new & used books for sale & stories abound. they will also direct you to more local sites you may miss. I highly recommend you stop in. the only disappointment I had is that their native chippewa artifacts are extremely limited. considering their name & and location, we had thought they would have had more. this is the only reason they didn't get 5 stars .we were unaware of the ticket sale thing going on, so no, we didn't buy tickets.

Chloe

5/5

The staff was very knowledgeable about the history of the city and the historical industry transportation. Their model of the town is very detailed and historically accurate.

Ruth N.

5/5

The train display is great! Especially great for train enthusiasts and kiddos!

Phyllis B.

5/5

This is a well organized and interesting place to visit with a wonderful train layout, unique shop with area books and little treasures for you and your home. The staff here is friendly and proficient in local research, and some of them are authors of local books. Many volunteers are enthusiastic and dedicated workers in this interesting old downtown building. Before Christmas there is an open house which is well attended.

Kelli Z.

5/5

The recreated buildings in the train display allowed me to revisit my childhood in the Soo! The volunteer helped guide us where to go for more Native American history in the area. The ancestory tree posted was very informative

John P.

4/5

Small museum a lot of space has an O gauge train layout representing a past Chippewa County. The kids will love to see it and it has a few interactive buttons. Just watch that they don't try to touch with out asking first. It was a good way to explain logging, mining, & other industries of the area to the kids. While doing that a spouse can check out the rest of the museum. Stuff was friendly and helpful. Was a nice stop for a short visit. Put, a few buck in to help them out on the way out.

Tracy T.

5/5

We stopped by here after a nice lunch across the street and were so happy we did. We were met by a young man, Rowan. He may have been a teenager but he was a very informative and engaging guide! His passion for history and youthful exuberance really made for an interesting local history lesson. It’s definitely worth your time to stop in. They also have a great selection of local history books.

Carol M.

5/5

Love Bernie Arabic stories!!’ Also all of the info and pictures from the Coullards, and other contributors .and especially
your staff!. Thanks!!!

pocahontas R.

4/5

the ladies here are very knowledgeable! friendly & helpful it was a wonderful place to stop in there are numerous new & used books for sale & stories abound. they will also direct you to more local sites you may miss. I highly recommend you stop in. the only disappointment I had is that their native chippewa artifacts are extremely limited. considering their name & and location, we had thought they would have had more. this is the only reason they didn't get 5 stars .we were unaware of the ticket sale thing going on, so no, we didn't buy tickets.

Jim T.

5/5

Wonderful woman who was on duty the day we visited. Very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about the area. Great big model train set up of the area that works. Many local displays. Located in a beautiful historic building and worth stopping by.

Andrey S. (.

5/5

Chippewa County Historical Society has an amazing scaled model of the town & railroad, plus artifacts and souvenirs. Building’s under renovation, so it’ll be even better soon! A must for history buffs.

Chloe

5/5

The staff was very knowledgeable about the history of the city and the historical industry transportation. Their model of the town is very detailed and historically accurate.

Phyllis B.

5/5

This is a well organized and interesting place to visit with a wonderful train layout, unique shop with area books and little treasures for you and your home. The staff here is friendly and proficient in local research, and some of them are authors of local books. Many volunteers are enthusiastic and dedicated workers in this interesting old downtown building. Before Christmas there is an open house which is well attended.