Harbor Springs Area Historical Society

Mission: To preserve, interpret and share the history of the Harbor Springs area, while encouraging curiosity and promoting an understanding of how the lessons of the past can foster an informed community.

The Harbor Springs Area Historical Society (HSAHS) is a nonprofit organization in northern Michigan that operates the Harbor Springs History Museum and the Ephraim Shay Innovation Museum.

Since its founding in 1990, HSAHS has grown from a volunteer-run organization into a well-regarded institution with a full-time executive director and an active board of trustees. We now host outstanding historically-based programs and events and has transformed the former city hall into a local history museum, reflecting its commitment to preserving and celebrating the area’s heritage.

Today, our reputation for strong historical programs continues inside the doors of the Harbor Springs History Museum where exceptional exhibits and hands-on activities will continue to tell the story of Harbor Springs’ unique history.

Our Vision: To ensure that our collections and the stories they tell are accessible to all people. To be recognized regionally as a center of learning, imparting historical knowledge that shapes, informs and inspires the present and future.

The Harbor Springs Area Historical Society preserves and shares the rich history of Harbor Springs, Michigan, through exhibits, educational programs, and special events. We operate the Harbor Springs History Museum, showcasing artifacts and stories from the region’s past. We also support historical research and maintain archives to promote a deeper understanding of the area’s cultural heritage. We also operate the Ephraim Shay Innovation Museum, the former home of famed inventor, entrepreneur and community leader Ephraim Shay. This museum serves as a regional museum of ingenuity and innovation, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit and accomplishments of its owner and builder. Interactive exhibit galleries on the main floor demonstrate the importance of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education to economic and societal progress.