Chippewa County Historical Society - Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Introduction

The Chippewa County Historical Society, nestled at 115 Ashmun St in the heart of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, is a treasure trove of local history and culture. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich heritage of Chippewa County through educational programs, exhibits, and community events. With a mission to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of the area, the historical society offers a unique glimpse into the past for both locals and visitors alike.

Main Services

• Museum Exhibits: The historical society maintains a museum that showcases a variety of artifacts, photographs, and interpretive displays that tell the story of Chippewa County's past. Visitors can explore exhibits on topics such as the fur trade, Native American history, and the area's role in the Great Lakes shipping industry.
• Educational Programs: The historical society offers a range of educational programs for students and adults, including guided tours, workshops, and lectures. These programs aim to engage learners of all ages in the fascinating history of the region.
• Research Library: The historical society's research library houses an extensive collection of resources related to Chippewa County history, including books, manuscripts, maps, and photographs. Visitors are welcome to use the library to conduct their own research or to learn more about the area's history.
• Special Events: The Chippewa County Historical Society hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, including historical reenactments, living history demonstrations, and community gatherings. These events provide opportunities for visitors to engage with history in a fun and interactive way.

Location and Access

The Chippewa County Historical Society is located in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, at the intersection of Ashmun and Spruce Streets. The museum is easily accessible by car, with on-site parking available for visitors. The building is also wheelchair-accessible, with a ramp leading to the entrance and a wheelchair-accessible restroom on the premises.

For those using public transportation, the Sault Ste. Marie City Transit bus system has a stop near the museum, located at the corner of Ashmun and Spruce Streets. The museum is also a short walk from several downtown hotels and restaurants, making it an convenient destination for visitors exploring the area on foot.

Featured Characteristics

• Historic Building: The Chippewa County Historical Society is housed in a historic building that was originally constructed in 1893 as a grammar school. The building was later used as a church and a community center before being purchased by the historical society in 1973. The building's architecture is a testament to the rich history of the area and provides a unique setting for the museum's exhibits.
• Gift Shop: The historical society operates a gift shop on-site, which offers a variety of items related to local history, including books, maps, and souvenirs. The gift shop is a great place to find unique gifts and mementos to commemorate a visit to the museum.
• Community Partnerships: The Chippewa County Historical Society partners with several local organizations and businesses to provide enhanced visitor experiences and to promote the history of the area. These partnerships include collaborations with the Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Sault Ste. Marie Public Library, and the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce.

Practical Information

The Chippewa County Historical Society is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Admission is free, although donations are welcome. The museum is closed on major holidays and during the month of February for inventory and exhibit updates.

For more information about the Chippewa County Historical Society, visit their website at cchsmi.com. You can also reach the historical society by phone at 906-635-7082.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

Visitors to the Chippewa County Historical Society consistently praise the organization's knowledgeable and friendly staff, who are eager to share their expertise and passion for local history. The museum's extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits are also frequently highlighted as a strength, with visitors commenting on the depth and breadth of the historical society's offerings. The historical society's commitment to accessibility, with wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, and restrooms, is also appreciated by visitors.

Here are a few specific positive aspects mentioned in reviews:

• ""The ladies here are very knowledgeable! friendly & helpful" - Google Review
• ""It was a wonderful place to stop in there are numerous new & used books for sale & stories abound. they will also direct you to other historical sites in the area." - Google Review
• ""The museum is well laid out and easy to navigate. There is a lot to see and learn. The staff is very friendly and helpful." - Yelp Review
• ""The building is beautiful and full of history. The staff is friendly and helpful. I would recommend this to anyone interested in history." - Facebook Review

These reviews demonstrate the Chippewa County Historical Society's commitment to providing a high-quality and engaging visitor experience, while also highlighting the organization's dedication to preserving and promoting the rich history of Chippewa County.

👍 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.