Ships, Lighthouses, and Trains, Oh My. Port Huron Museum has it all.

Updated

The Port Huron Museum in Port Huron, Michigan, is a cluster of Museum sites that are sure to enthrall. Four sites are included in the Museum, plus a Trolley that runs for special events. The Museums include the Carnegie Center, the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse, the Huron Lightship, and the Thomas Edison Depot Museum.

They are all unique, and each gives you a different focus on the history of Port Huron. This port city is located where Lake Huron meets the St. Clair River, and the Blue Water Bridge connects the USA and Canada—a bustling border town with lots of history to explore.

Pillars and entrance hall to CarnegieCenter

The Carnegie Center

The Carnegie Center fills the historical Port Huron Public Library building built in 1904. The building is gorgeous enough to be its own Museum, but for your learning pleasure, it is also loaded with artifacts from Port Huron’s local history—four levels of exhibits with an extensive collection of Maritime items. Tucked way in the back on the top level, you will find a full-sized replica of the pilot house of a freighter. It’s pretty impressive. There are many historical items to see here.

Fort Gratiot Lighthouse

The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse is much more than just a lighthouse. There are several buildings on the grounds that are included in the tour. The old hospital from Fort Gratiot is one of the newest and is currently under renovation. The Lighthousekeeper’s duplex is a delight and my favorite part of the tour. Half of the duplex has been restored and is beautiful inside. The tour culminates with a climb to the top of the lighthouse. The views of the lake from the top are spectacular. Our tour guide was a treasurehouse of information.

View ship deck from the front

Huron LightshipMuseum

The Huron Lightship Museum was extraordinarily unique. Lightships are uncommon, but to tour an actual retired lightship was a real treat. This was probably our favorite of the Port Huron Museum sites. Do not miss this one. There is so much to see in such a tiny ship. With so many rooms set up the way it had been when in use, it was easy to see what life might have been like on board a ship. Of course, we could walk right off whenever we liked, so it is hard to imagine spending weeks aboard the ship.

Thomas Edison Depot Museum sign and building

Thomas Edison Depot Museum

The Thomas Edison Depot Museum has a detailed history of Thomas Edison’s childhood spent in Port Huron, Michigan, and his adventures on the Michigan passenger trains. There are hands-on exhibits and an actual train car that you can go into with beautiful views of the river. The unique layout of the plaques, arrows, and lines on the walls made it easy and fun to follow along with the story of young Thomas Edison.

Planning your visit

Each of these museums takes easily an hour or more to explore. In order to get the most out of your experience, make sure to plan enough time. If necessary, limit your visit to a couple of museums when you go. The Lightship and Lighthouse are seasonal museums; the other two are open year-round. Add Port Huron Museums to your itinerary the next time you are in Port Huron and add some adventure to your visit.

Don’t forget to check their website for hours costs and to find out about the events on the Trolley. You can sign up for many fun seasonal and holiday events.