Chippewa County Historical Society - Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Introduction

The Chippewa County Historical Society, nestled at 115 Ashmun St, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, United States, is a treasure trove of local history and culture. This non-profit organization, established in 1952, is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich heritage of Chippewa County and the surrounding areas. With a mission to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of the region, the society offers a wealth of knowledge and experiences to its visitors.

Main Services

• Museum Exhibits: The society maintains a museum that houses a variety of exhibits, including artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of Chippewa County's past. Visitors can explore themes such as Native American history, early settlers, industry, and social life.
• Research Library: The research library at the Chippewa County Historical Society is a valuable resource for anyone interested in local history. It contains a wealth of primary and secondary sources, including census records, family histories, and municipal records.
• Educational Programs: The society offers educational programs for students and adults, including school tours, workshops, and lectures. These programs aim to engage and educate the community about its history.
• Preservation Services: The Chippewa County Historical Society provides preservation services to the community, including assistance with preserving and documenting historic buildings and sites, as well as advice on caring for historic artifacts and documents.

Location and Access

The Chippewa County Historical Society is conveniently located in downtown Sault Ste. Marie, just off the I-75 freeway. The building is situated in the historic downtown district, surrounded by other historic buildings and local businesses. There is ample on-site parking available, including a wheelchair-accessible car park. The entrance is also wheelchair-accessible, and the building's interior is designed to accommodate visitors with mobility impairments.

Public transportation is available in Sault Ste. Marie, with several bus routes serving the downtown area. The nearest bus stop to the historical society is just a short walk away on Ashmun Street. The society is also bike-friendly, with bike racks available for visitors to use.

Featured Characteristics

• Historic Building: The Chippewa County Historical Society is housed in a historic building that was originally constructed in 1912 as a post office. The building was later repurposed as a historical museum and has been carefully preserved to maintain its historic character.
• Gift Shop: The society's gift shop offers a variety of items for sale, including books, souvenirs, and locally made crafts. The gift shop is a great place to find unique gifts and mementos of your visit to the historical society.
• Toilet Facilities: Wheelchair-accessible toilet facilities are available on-site, ensuring that all visitors can comfortably enjoy their time at the historical society.
• Good for Kids: The Chippewa County Historical Society is a family-friendly destination, with a variety of exhibits and activities that are sure to captivate and educate children of all ages.

Practical Information

The Chippewa County Historical Society is open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Admission is free, although donations are welcome. The society also hosts special events throughout the year, including exhibits, lectures, and fundraisers. It's recommended to check the society's website or call ahead for the most up-to-date information on events and hours.

Positive Aspects from Reviews

The Chippewa County Historical Society has received numerous positive reviews from visitors, with an average rating of 4.7/5 on Google My Business. Many reviews highlight the knowledgeable and friendly staff, as well as the wealth of information and exhibits available. Here are some specific aspects that visitors have praised:

• Knowledgeable and Friendly Staff: Many visitors have commented on the helpful and knowledgeable staff at the Chippewa County Historical Society. The staff is always willing to share their expertise and provide assistance to visitors.
• Wealth of Information: The society's extensive collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents has been praised by visitors, who appreciate the depth and breadth of information available.
• Engaging Exhibits: Visitors have commented on the engaging and interactive exhibits at the Chippewa County Historical Society, which help to bring history to life.
• Family-Friendly: Many visitors have praised the historical society for being a family-friendly destination, with exhibits and activities that are suitable for children and adults alike.

👍 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.