Welcome

Keweenaw County is Michigan's northernmost county, and its smallest (in population). The county comprises the upper half of the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula, that beckoning finger of land that sticks out into Lake Superior.

According to Google Maps,
Eagle River, the county seat of Keweenaw County is:

• 574 miles from Detroit
• 443 miles from Chicago
• 369 miles from Minneapolis

The Keweenaw is a region rich in history as well as natural beauty. Copper mining is a major historical theme, but commercial fishing, lumbering, maritime and life-saving history, and various ethnic stories are notable, too.

The Keweenaw County Historical Society, established in 1981, is a group of volunteers who work hard and take pleasure in commemorating and sharing that history.

The picture in our web banner is of the Eagle Harbor Light Station on the shore of Lake Superior. This property is owned by the Keweenaw County Historical Society and is the site of its major museums. The lighthouse was built in 1871, and the light is still operated by the Coast Guard.   The other buildings on the grounds are: the maritime museum and gift shop, housed in the former fog signal building; and, two former assistant lightkeepers’ dwellings.  One houses a commercial fishing museum, the other is known as the Keeper’s Cottage and is available for vacation rental to Society members in the summer and fall.

Pronounce Keweenaw: KEY-win-awe

Photo Notes:  Unless otherwise noted all 'current' images on the site were taken by photographers working for the KCHS and are intended only for the express use of the KCHS. 

Copyright: All content of this web site, including text, photos, maps, drawings, etc., are copyright © 2010-2025 The Keweenaw County Historical Society. All rights reserved.

News:

KCHS museum sites and cottage rentals will be open for the 2022 season.  Please see the site and rental webpages for specific dates and operation information.

The Keweenaw County Historical Society’s Board of Directors will follow the COVID-19 Epidemic Orders issued by the State of Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services.  These public health orders are updated as needed, so KCHS may need to change access to buildings and events.

Please check back for updates.