The Beaver Island Marine Museum is one of the The Beaver Island Historical Society's interpretive sites on the island. It's location is authentic - a historic net shed built in 1906 by Shing Martin on the shore of St. James Harbor. Museum exhibits tell the story of the busy days on the harbor when the shipping of lumber and commercial fishing were the mainstays of island industry.
Undercover the restoration of the wooden fish tug 50' fish tug Bob S. is ongoing, and visitors can walk aboard to view the workings of a gill netter. Other commercial fishing vessels include the trap net tug, The Miss Bay City; and The Nancy, which way possibly have been used as a pound net boat at some point.
Inside the Marine Museum you can explore exhibits including:
- The Martin Net Shed - its history and about the Martin family
- Beaver Island Fishing Fleet - including fishing vessels and fishing families
- Fishing family stories, including local oral histories
- The Wooden Boats Afloat traveling exhibit (on display 2018)
- Beaver Island's local boat builders
- Examples of fishing gear and artifacts
Bookstore offers several local publications about local Island history and fisheries heritage available for purchase.
What you can do here
Access Fishing History & Culture Research, Boat Viewing, Gift Shop or Fisheries Items for Purchase, School or Group Tours, View Exhibits
St. James, MI