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Historical Museum

Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum 

The Lake Erie Islands Historical Society Museum Particulars

Put-in-Bay is the ideal vacation location, but did you know it also has a captivating history? Thanks to the Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum Society Museum, tourists can discover this great area through their events, exhibitions, and the historical museum gift shop.

Located right downtown, the Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum is right behind the Put-in-Bay Police Department, the Put-in-Bay Brewing Company, and neighboring the Town Hall. They often put on engaging presentations entirely funded by contributions and earnings from their famous Resale Shop, again found on the premises.

South Bass Island is just one of numerous in Lake Erie. All in all, there are 26 islands. The Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum is charged with archiving and recording the entire region’s history. A pretty large assignment!

It is open daily during the summer season, with open hours sporadic in the off-season. Kids under 5 are free; others are $5, and senior citizens $3. Access sales also help fund the museum. School groups are always welcome, and they just need to complete reservations in advance. There is also a museum gift store found on site.

Are you a History aficionado? Contemplate becoming a constituent of the Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum and reap the member’s benefits all year! Associates enjoy free entry, invitations to parties, better tickets for special events, and discounts in the museum store! They offer different membership levels, from individual to lifelong members.

 Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum Events and Exhibitions

Each season, the Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum curates exceptional presentations to treat visitors and enlighten them about various parts of the surrounding region. They cover everything from the history of the American Indians who once inhabited the islands to the turning moment of the Battle of Lake Erie.

In 2018, the Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum presented “Treasures From the Archive.” It also contained a selection of recent gifts to the museum. This was an infrequent occurrence to view heirlooms typically accommodated in the archive. Due to the delicate nature of historical photos and documents, they are generally kept away from light to preserve them.

The Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum regularly hosts events throughout the year. Their most popular is their annual auction. Residents can bid on several items, varying in price. Most are interconnected to the history of the islands. All profits benefit society.

Winemaking has always been instrumental to Put-in-Bay. This is a beautiful way to celebrate it! Sample from over 250 imported and domestic wines at this October event. They also sponsor journeys to other islands, the Road Race Reunion, and the Wine Festival.

 

Photo of the Put-in-Bay Historical Museum

Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum Resale Shop

The Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum Resale Shop is a favored destination for residents and tourists. By only accepting items in pristine condition, shoppers find articles of only the most heightened quality while shopping. They have everything from clothes to electronics to household goods. And what’s better than achieving a new item and understanding your money goes straight to a good cause?! Make sure to visit the museum and Resale Shop at the Bay!

(419) 285-2804

266 Delaware Ave, Put-In-Bay, OH 43456

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Alice P.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
The knowledgeable staff can respond to your questions or advise you on where to go locally. If you have a few minutes to spare, check out the thrift store behind the Museum. Profits go to benefit the Historical Society (including the operation of the Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum.

Elania D.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
The Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum was a lovely historical review for a Nominal Fee. It was little but filled with intriguing historical facts. It's located in the village, and the entrance fee is minor, so it's worth popping in for a glimpse. Observe the 15-minute video first to get a valuable overview of the islands' history. Then you can take as much or as little time as you want to wander through the exhibits. Even if your main goal while in Put-in-Bay is to visit as many bars as feasible, this Museum should be on your list of things to do at Put-in-Bay.

William W.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Great Overview of Island History! The Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum is worth seeing. It offers a movie for visitors and a large variety of antiques that locals donate. Adjacent to the Museum is a fun resale shop that uses proceeds to sustain the Museum.

Mandy T.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
What a treasure to explore!-We stopped in Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum here on a drizzling day of our vacation, and we were so glad we did. Loved the Island's history - the aging souvenirs on display, the history of the many fires (why multiple fires in a place surrounded by water?), and the graduates of 2017,

Larry C.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
CHASING OLIVER HAZARD PERRY The Perry monument was closed for repairs, so we went to the Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum to examine books. The women in the Museum were beneficial in finding a text on Perry. We came home with two historical textbooks: CHASING OLIVER HAZARD PERRY by Craig Heimbuch and GREAT LAKES CRIME, MURDER MAYHEM, BOOZE, AND BROADS by Frederick Stonehouse. The CHASING OLIVER HAZARD PERRY writer made me chuckle as he spoke about the downside of not renting a golf cart on the Island and all the Russians working there. The other book about criminality in the Great Lakes has a lot of photos and brief stories of crimes.

Patsy C.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum has lots of interesting artifacts and quite a bit of information and items from the Victory Hotel. Friendly staff, engaging videos, and artifacts. I learned a bit about the Island's history, which is part of my joy of travel. I wish there had been a bit more about the Lake Erie war - it is an exciting story, and most have at least heard the phrase, "don't give up the ship." The video on the auto racing history is short but fun- again, I wish there was more information about the short-lived races. We found Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum well worth the price of entry - put-in-bay museum a fun hour or so to consume a rainy day.

Henderson C.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Great Insight-Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum is a hidden gem off Catawba Avenue. Inside, you will witness an assemblage of artifacts that outlines South Bass Island's agrarian origins through to the wine enterprise development and finally into a traveler destination. Be certain to see the antiques from the Victory Hotel. Also, the original ideas for the Perry Monument are interesting. It burned to the foundation with an intense fire that could be seen 60 miles away. This is well worth your time to understand better the Island you are visiting.

Pike D.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
First visit to Museum! We enjoyed the Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum special exhibit of shotguns, waterfowl decoys, duck calls, and the history of the carvers who created them. The director of the Museum did an outstanding job in this special exhibit that will be available until the end of October. A local island carver was featured in the exhibition. The decoys were from the many shooting clubs, including Winous Point, the oldest in North America. Included in the Museum are island history, models of old ships, and many other historical objects of the Island.

Vargas C.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
First visit to Museum! We enjoyed the Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum special exhibit of shotguns, waterfowl decoys, duck calls, and the history of the carvers who created them. The director of the Museum did an outstanding job in this special exhibit that will be available until the end of October. A local island carver was featured in the exhibition. The decoys were from the many shooting clubs, including Winous Point, the oldest in North America. Included in the Museum are island history, models of old ships, and many other historical objects of the Island.

Ted B.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Great Way to Start the Expedition of Put In Bay Island This little Museum is packed with the history of the Island. The movie is informative, and the displays are educational about the families who lived on the Island and the historical articles that have remained relics. The staff was accommodating and delighted in briefing us about the town. One of many things to do in put in bay this weekend

Dallas C.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum is a gem! Only $7 for an adult ticket. Starts off with a 15-minute video of the history of the Island. Then so many displays of times from the past that if you are with someone that isn't into history, then do it when you are with others that value it. Exquisite artifacts and stories. 2 hours easy.

Jefferson B.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum was very enlightening, with many island-related historical antiques going back to the Native American era, and amiable and helpful staff. Worthwhile. Allow an hour and do watch the video overview of the history of Put-in-Bay. Don't miss the resale shop behind it; many exciting things are available for purchase to support the Museum at very affordable prices. An easy walk from put in bay hotels

James V.

☆☆☆☆☆
★★★★★
Small but Interesting-Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum had a nice selection of books on regional history in the bookstore. Uncluttered space with a small homemade theater playing historical videos on a loop. Neat antiques from the Hotel Victory that burned down in the early 1900s.