Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum 

Picture of Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum 25 Town Hall Place
Put-in-Bay, OH 43456
419-285-2804
Lake Erie Island Historical Museum

Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum – A Fun Way To Learn About Our History

The Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum, located in the downtown area of  Put-in-Bay, is a fun way to learn about the history of the Lake Erie Islands. The numerous exhibitions and artifacts that have been curated by the museum document the wonderful history of the region. A gift shop & resale center offer visitors the opportunity to take home a little history as well.

The Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum Particulars

Centrally located in downtown Put-in-Bay, the museum is located right behind the Put-in-Bay Police Department and the Put-in-Bay Brewing Company next to the town hall. Fascinating exhibitions funded by donations and sales entirely from the famous Resale Shop are regularly on display.

South Bass Island is just one of several Lake Erie Islands. In total, there are 26 islands. The Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum is responsible for documenting the history of the entire region and archiving the information. Once you see the magnitude of the museum, you will understand what a big job this is! Open every day during the summer season; it is a must-see attraction. Off-season hours can be intermittent, so call ahead to be sure.

Admission for Children under 5 is free while Adults are $5 and senior citizens $3. Proceeds from ticket sales help fund the museum. School groups are always welcomed with reservations.

If you are a History Buff, consider joining the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society and receive exclusive members benefits all year round. Free admission, advance tickets for special events, invitations to parties, and discounts in the museum store are just a few of the benefits! There are different membership tiers, from individuals to lifelong members.

Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum Events & Exhibitions

Each season, the Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum brings together special exhibits to educate visitors about different aspects of the surrounding Islands. Visitors will learn about everything from the history of the American Indians who once populated the islands to the Battle of Lake Erie and Put-in-Bay History.

In the summer of 2018 season, the museum featured an exhibit titled “Treasures From the Archive.” This was a very rare occasion to see artifacts customarily housed in the archive. Many of these pieces of the exhibit are extremely fragile and kept away from light to preserve them best. Also on display were several recent gifts to the museum.

Each year the Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum host numerous events to raise the much-needed funds to operate. One of the most popular is the annual Museum auction. Residents and businesses donate a wide variety of collectible and historical pieces that are auctioned off in both a silent auction and a traditional auction. All proceeds raised go directly to cover the operating expenses of the museum.

They also take an active role in promoting the Put-in-Bay Island Wine Festival, where you can sample over 250 domestic and imported wines. The annual Put-in-Bay Road Races are another fun-filled event that helps support the Lake Erie Islands Historical Museum as well as trips to the other islands in the area.

Visit The Museum Resale Shop

The LEIHS Resale Shop is a popular Put-in-Bay Shopping destination for visitors and locals! The shop only accepts items in excellent condition. As A result,  shoppers find articles of only the highest quality! You will see a little bit of everything for sale, including housewares, electronics, and clothing! Stop by and take home a little history!

Things To See Nearby

Being located in the downtown area, there are plenty of things to do at Put-in-Bay nearby! If your hungry, the Old Forge Restaurant is steps away, and the outside patio is a great place to relax, and people watch. If a cocktail is in order, Mojito Bay is a unique fun place to grab a swing and a hand made Mojito! They generally have live entertainment featuring several local artists!