The Rathbone School / Knights of Pythias Museum

Located in Eagle Harbor, two blocks west of the harbor’s swimming beach, this extensively restored one-room school served the community from 1853 to 1872.  The photo above shows the current building and the way the building appeared ca. 1900 with a tour of guests from the fraternal lodge, The Knights of Pythias. It was in this building that Justus H. Rathbone, who began teaching here in 1860, conceived the idea for the ritual of the Knights of Pythias, a secret fraternal society which he founded. This interdenominational organization, which had a peak membership of a quarter-million, continues to conduct its charitable work today across North America.

(Photo: One side of the Rathbone School is set up as an original one-room schoolhouse.)

The school has long been an object of pilgrimage by society members. In 1931, a thousand members gathered to pay homage to their society’s founder and to witness the unveiling of the nearby granite monument in honor of Justus Rathbone.

(Photo: The other side of the Rathbone School contains regalia and memorabilia commemorating the Knights of Pythias.)

Visiting The Rathbone School Museum

2026 Season- June 14th through October 11th
Hours- 10am to 5pm daily
Admission- There is no admission charge for this museum, however a donation is appreciated.

Location- The Rathbone School is located at the intersection of 3rd and Center streets in the town of Eagle Harbor, Michigan.   The address is:  277 Center Street, Eagle Harbor, MI.   GPS: N 47 27.441  W 88 09.761,Decimal Degrees: 47.45735, -88.16268

Related Links-

• The Knights of Pythias
• Wikipedia – Eagle Harbor School House

Although all other sites are closed for the season-
The Eagle Harbor Lifesaving Museum will remain open daily until October 17th while renovation work is made on the Coast Guard Motor Lifeboat.

SITE SCHEDULES

SEE ALL EVENTS