Chippewa County Historical Society - Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Chippewa County Historical Society: A Comprehensive Guide

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 a must-visit attraction for both residents and tourists alike. This comprehensive guide will delve into the main services offered, the location and accessibility, key features, practical information, and positive aspects highlighted by visitors.

Main Services

• Museum: The Chippewa County Historical Society houses an extensive collection of artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the region's rich history.
• Tourist Attraction: The society serves as a popular tourist attraction, offering visitors a glimpse into the past through its exhibits and guided tours.
• Educational Programs: It provides educational programs and workshops for students and adults, promoting a deeper understanding of local history.
• Genealogy Research: The society assists individuals in tracing their family history by providing access to genealogical records and resources.
• Community Events: It hosts various events throughout the year, such as lectures, workshops, and fundraisers, engaging the community in its mission.

Location and Access

The Chippewa County Historical Society is situated in the heart of downtown Sault Ste. Marie, close to the St. Marys River and the International Bridge. The area is known for its historical significance, with several other museums and attractions nearby.

• Public Transportation: The city's public bus service, The Ride, has a stop near the historical society, making it easily accessible by public transportation.
• Parking: On-site parking is available, with wheelchair-accessible spaces provided. Additionally, there are several public parking lots in the vicinity.
• Entrance: The building is wheelchair-accessible, with a ramp leading to the main entrance.

Featured Characteristics

• Exhibits: The society boasts a variety of exhibits that showcase the area's history, from Native American culture to the railroad industry and lumbering era.
• Research Library: The on-site research library contains an extensive collection of genealogical records, historical documents, and photographs that are open to the public.
• Gift Shop: The gift shop offers a selection of books, souvenirs, and local history-related items for purchase.
• Accessibility: The Chippewa County Historical Society is committed to ensuring that its facilities are accessible to all visitors. Wheelchair-accessible toilet facilities are available on-site.

Practical Information

• Address: 115 Ashmun St, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783, United States
• Phone: 9066357082
• Website: cchsmi.com
• Hours of Operation: Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed on Sundays and Mondays)
• Admission: Free (donations are welcome)

Positive Aspects from Reviews

With an average rating of 4.7/5 from 18 reviews on Google My Business, the Chippewa County Historical Society has been highly praised by visitors for its knowledgeable staff, friendly atmosphere, and the wealth of information it provides. Some of the positive aspects mentioned in the reviews include:

• The ladies here are very knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful.
• It was a wonderful place to stop in, with numerous new and used books for sale and stories abound.
• The society will also direct you to other historical sites in the area and provide maps.
• The exhibits are well-curated and offer a fascinating glimpse into the region's past.
• The research library is an excellent resource for those interested in genealogy and local history.

Visitors have also praised the society's commitment to preserving local history and its role in educating the community about the area's rich heritage.

👍 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.