"Located at the northern tip of Lake Huron, on the south shore of Michigan's eastern Upper Peninsula, the Les Cheneaux area was once a strategic international northern outpost and center of early exploration. But it was not until the early eighteen eighties that permanent homesteaders came in earnest to Les Cheneaux: Anthony Hamel came over from Mackinac Island, William A. Patrick arrived from Ontario, the Westons migrated north from Chicago, and the likes of Henry Clay Wisner and the McBain-Coryell clan appeared as the area's first seasonal visitors. From this decade can be traced the story of the evolution of the Les Cheneaux area from unwanted real estate into highly desirable timberland and, almost simultaneously, homestead settlement and summer resort community. Our story is an individually distinct as any in American history and as important as the opening and development of the Great Lakes and the integration of two great peninsulas into the State of Michigan."
- Philip McM. Pittman, author
Historical Museum Location:
105 S. Meridian Rd.
Cedarville, MI 49719
(906) 484-2821
Open: May 29th, 2019 to Mid-September
Tuesday - Saturday 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Closed every Sunday and Monday
Maritime Museum Location:
Hwy M-134 & Lake St.
Cedarville, MI 49719
(906) 484-3354
Open: May 29th, 2019 to Mid- September
Tuesday - Saturday 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Closed every Sunday and Monday
41st annual Antique and Wooden Boat Show and Festival of Arts
The Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show is held each year in Hessel, Michigan. Some of the country's finest boats call the beautiful Les Cheneaux Islands home. Entries arrive each August from as far away as California and Florida. Vessels include dinghies, rowboats, canoes, launches, sailboats, utilities, runabouts, large cruisers, racers and classic glass.
Les Cheneaux Historical Association