Harbor Springs Area Historical Society

06/18/2026

📸 Our newest special exhibit is now open!

"A Century in Focus: Harbor Springs, 1880–1980" explores decades of local photography, from Victorian portrait studios and real photo postcards to the work of photographers like Virgil Haynes, Bruce Gathman, Eri Babcock, and many others.

These photographs—showing portraits, community events, everyday life, and remarkable moments—form the foundation of our visual history and act as incredible primary sources to document the story of the Harbor Springs area.

The exhibit is now open at the Harbor Springs History Museum, Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Special thanks to for sponsoring this exhibit.

📍 Harbor Springs History Museum
349 E. Main Street

06/13/2026

📍 Support the Historical Society and take your chance at winning one of five incredible prizes from local businesses! Tickets are $20 each or 6 for $100. Drawing will be held at 9:00 pm on Thursday, June 25 at our Summer's Launch Party at the Pier; you do not need to be present to win. ⚓️

Purchase by calling 231-526-9771 or online - https://www.harborspringshistory.org/events/calendar/blessing-of-the-fleet/blessing-of-the-fleet-raffle.html

PRIZES:
Elizabeth Blair Fine Pearls ($1,500 Certificate)
Water Tractor Sport Fishing Charter for 6 ($1,000 Value)
Cosmetic Skin & Laser Center ($1,000 Value)
Birchwood Farms Golf & Country Club, Golf for 4 ($650 Value)
J.McLaughlin ($500) Value

06/12/2026

⛵️ We are profoundly grateful to the following local corporations for their support of our 14th Annual Blessing of the Fleet! ⚓️

Captain Sponsors - Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau and Irish Boat Shop, Inc. Commander Sponsors - Boathouse of Harbor Springs, Cosmetic Skin & Laser Center, Down East Yachting, Elizabeth Blair Fine Pearls, First Community Bank Michigan, Hinckley Yachts, Nub's Nob Ski Area, Toski Sands Market & Wine Shop, Walloon Central Marine, Walstrom Marine and Water Tractor Sport Fishing.

06/05/2026

⚓ Summer's Launch Party is BACK! ☀️

We're excited to bring back this beloved Blessing of the Fleet tradition on Thursday, June 25 at 7 PM at The Pier Restaurant.

Join us for an unforgettable evening on the waterfront as we celebrate the Blessing of the Fleet and the start of another beautiful summer in Harbor Springs. Enjoy hors d'oeuvres, a cash bar, trivia and great company.

Whether you've attended for years or are joining us for the first time, the Summer's Launch Party is a wonderful way to connect with friends, celebrate our maritime heritage, and kick off the season together.

🎟 Tickets are $100 and available now!

https://www.harborspringshistory.org/events/calendar/blessing-of-the-fleet/summers-launch-party-at-the-pier.html

As one of the Harbor Springs Area Historical Society's most important annual fundraisers, your attendance helps support our mission to preserve and share the stories, traditions, and history that make Harbor Springs such a special place.

05/30/2026

Thank you to everyone who participated in our first Historic Headstone Cleaning Workshop today at Lakeview Cemetery. It was an honor to work with our community to preserve and share the stories etched into the stones at the site. And it was a gorgeous day to be outside!

If you missed this workshop but are interested in participating, please let us know. We will likely host another this Fall depending on the level of interest.

05/25/2026

In observance of Memorial Day, we are proud to present a series of historical newspaper clippings and photographs highlighting our community's tributes to fallen soldiers throughout the decades.

Initially recognized as Decoration Day, Memorial Day ceremonies were first held at the national level on May 30, 1868, at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia, where Civil War soldiers' graves were adorned with flowers. Following World War I, the commemoration expanded to honor the lives lost in all armed conflicts.

04/30/2026

The Michigan Museums Association is seeking student session proposal for their 2026 Annual Conference! They welcome proposals for presentations on any topic within the field of museums, although preference may be given to those that fit the conference theme, "Stronger Together: Empowering the Michigan Museum Community." 📝

Participants must be enrolled in a museum studies, public history, historic preservation, or related program, and a recommendation from an instructor or advisor is required. Recent graduates (within the last 6 months) may also apply. Both undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to apply.

📍 DEADLINE: May 8th at 5 pm.

Click the link below for more details. https://www.michiganmuseums.org/Students?utm_source=Michigan+Museums+Association+List&utm_campaign=649d05764f-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2025+Conf+Session+Proposals_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-e17d6d22cd-423730869

04/25/2026

Curator Beth Wemigwase is one of the many volunteer judges taking part in the Historical Society of Michigan’s Michigan History Day! Seeing the work and detailed research these young scholars have put into their historical exhibits is truly inspiring - and exhibits are just one category of project presented during the event. A big thank you to everyone involved in this effort to encourage young historians.

04/02/2026

🌧️ Spring Break Staycation – One More Day! ❄️

With the weather keeping us indoors, we’ve decided to extend our Spring Break Staycation for one more day and will be open today (Thursday, April 2) from 10 am to 4 pm at the Harbor Springs History Museum.

If you’re looking for something fun, easy, and family-friendly to do today, come spend some time with us. It’s the perfect way to get out of the house, stay dry, and enjoy a little local history.

Bring the kids, bring a friend, or just stop by for a visit, we’d love to see you. And, thank you to everyone who dropped by yesterday to make crafts and visit with us!

03/05/2026

📍 Time to VOTE! You got us into the Top 10, now help us win the Red Hot Best award for Local Museum! You can vote once per day now through March 13.

The hottest competition in Northern Michigan has returned.