The Heritage Tour is a self-guided journey through charming shoreline communities from south to north heading up Michigan’s Thumbcoast along M29 and M25. The tour is divided by major communities so you can visit these historical places at your own pace. Learn the history of past generations and discover maritime heritage, the story of ice cultivation and the history of the automobile and boat industry. Many historic attractions await your arrival, visitor information at www.bluewater.org. ALGONAC | CLAY TOWNSHIP | HARSENS ISLAND Algonac-Clay Historical Society Museum 1240 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac MI | 810-794-9015 https://www.achistory.com/ach1/ The Algonac/Clay Historical Society was formed in 1991 by combining the former Algonac Boating and Historical group and the Clay Township Historical Society. Over 10,000 artifacts also feature local history, business, industry, schools, churches and the military. Algonac-Clay Log House & Pearl Beach Waiting Station 4710 Pointe Tremble Rd., Clay Twp. MI | 810-794-9015 https://www.achistory.com/ach1/ The authentic 1800's log cabin is filled with historical items used by Algonac/Clay Township residents in the past. On the other side of the log house is a section of the Interurban railway track and the original Interurban waiting station which served Pearl Beach from approximately 1892 until the 1930's. Algonac/Clay Historical Society Maritime Museum 1117 St. Clair River Dr., Algonac MI | 810-794-9015 https://www.achistory.com/ach1/ Visit Algonac’s boat building & nautical heritage featuring Chris-Craft boats including an ice boat built by Chris Smith, Garwood, & many other local boat builders, motors and kit boat exhibits built by the local high school shop class. Harsens Island St. Clair Flats Historical Society Museum 3058 S. Channel Dr., Harsens Island MI http://harsensislandhistory.org/ The Museum is housed in the old fire hall in downtown Sans Souci on Harsens Island. The mission is to collect, protect, preserve and share the unique historical artifacts and information that represent the people of the St. Clair River Delta. Thumbcoast Heritage Tour Page 1 MARINE CITY AREA Community Pride & Heritage Museum 405 S. Main St., Marine City MI | 810-765-5446 marinecitymuseum.com/ The museum's artifact and archival collections bring Marine City’s history and heritage to life in 3 galleries. Highlights of the exhibits include a 36-foot diorama of the Belle River in 1885, when 5 shipyards were engaged in producing some of the finest ships on the Great Lakes; complete rooms with furnishings dating back 150 years; and a blacksmith shop built on the grounds of the Museum. The Mariner | Frank R. Crevier Gallery Collection 430 S. Water St., Marine City MI | 810-765-5155 https://mariner-mc.com/ The Mariner features over 100 works by Frank R. Crevier, Great Lakes Maritime Historian & Preservationist. His work spans ship building history from 1870-1920. Peche Island Rear Range Light 303 S. Water St., Marine City MI https://www.bluewater.org/things-to-do/lighthouses/ Built in 1908 to guide ships at the mouth of the Detroit River for 75 years before being decommissioned. The 60-foot light was rescued & moved to Downtown Marine City’s waterfront along the St. Clair River in 1982. Marine City Historic City Hall 101 N. Main St., Marine City MI | 810-765-8879 http://www.friendsofcityhall.com/ The former Marine City – City Hall was designed in a Richardson Romanesque style and it was completed in 1884. The building is registered on the National Register of Historic Places and maintained by Friends of City Hall. Lester House 406 S. Main St., Marine City MI | 810-765-5912 http://www.visitlesterhouse.com/ The Captain David Lester Residence, owned by the Lester-Brown Foundation, maintains the home for architectural, educational and historical awareness. Greek Revival structure built in 1849, historical landmark. Holy Cross | Tracker Organ 610 S. Water St., Marine City MI http://ourladyontheriver.net/ Hear the beautiful sounds of their 1861 Tracker Organ, one of few remaining and see a spectacular stained-glass window registered with the Michiga n-Stained Glass Census at the Church. Thumbcoast Heritage Tour Page 2 Red Brick School & Museum 696 Meisner Rd., East China MI | 810-765-8879 eastchinatownship.org/red_brick_school/index.php#.YEozJTqSmUk The exact age of this one-room school is unknown but records found in China Township indicate there was a school on this site in 1823. Currently the building displays vintage artifacts and stands on land that was granted to Andrew Westbrook before Michigan became a state. ST. CLAIR | MARYSVILLE | GOODELLS AREA St. Clair Historical Museum 308 S. Fourth St., St. Clair MI | 810-329-6888 http://www.historicstclair.com/ Travel back in time to the community’s beginning as British Fort Sinclair, into the Michigan lumbering and brick manufacturing mecca, shipbuilding and salt purification through interactive displays, movies and slide shows. The St. Clair U.S. Customs House built in 1902 is restored and on the museum’s grounds. Wills Sainte Claire Museum 2408 Wills St., Marysville MI | 810-388-5050 https://www.willsautomuseum.org/ An antique auto museum preserving the history of C. Harold Wills and the Wills Sainte Claire Automobile. C. Harold Wills worked closely with Henry Ford and in 1921 produced the Wills Sainte Claire Automobile. On display at the museum are several Wills Sainte Claire autos, some restored and some in original condition. Marysville Historical Museum 940 East Huron Blvd., Marysville MI | 810-364-6613 The museum tells the story of Marysville’s past with display items unique to the area, such as a locally built 1924 Wills Sainte Claire automobile and Gar Wood speedboat. The museum also has a collection of Great Lakes ship models, photographs and displays. St. Clair County Farm Museum 8310 County Park Dr., Goodells MI | 810-325-1737 http://www.stclaircountyfarmmuseum.org/ The St. Clair County Farm Museum preserves, demonstrates and exhibits artifacts to provide an understanding and appreciation for the agricultural heritage of St. Clair County. Farming, lumbering and rural domestic life focus is mainly in the periods of 1880 to 1945. Historical Village at Goodells County Park 8345 County Park Dr., Goodells MI | 810-989-6960 http://www.stclaircounty.org/Offices/parks/historic.aspx The Historical Village consist of 5 historic buildings - the Murphy/Ryan Farmhouse (1872), Lynn Township School (1885), C.C. Peck Bank (1908), the Mudge Log Cabin (1863) and Columbus Bible Church (1860). All are tributes to St. Clair County’s rich history. Thumbcoast Heritage Tour Page 3 Mill Creek Trestle 8258-8532 Imlay City Rd., Avoca MI | 810-989-6960 bluewater.org/member-detail/wadhams-to-avoca-trail/ The trestle bridge was built in the late 1800’s and is 640-feet long along the Wadhams to Avoca Trail, a former CSX historic rail line. PORT HURON AREA Carnegie Center Museum 1115 Sixth St., Port Huron MI | 810-982-0891 https://www.phmuseum.org/ Originally the public library constructed in 1902 by Andrew Carnegie, is now home to the museum’s local history collections including the largest ship model collection and Black History in the Blue Water Area. Visit the reimagined projects including restoring the original glass mezzanine floor. Be sure to see the 1850’s Kammer Cabin on the museum grounds when visiting. Huron Lightship Museum 800 Prospect Place., Port Huron MI | 810-984-9768 https://www.phmuseum.org/huron-light-ship-museum/ The Huron Lightship was the last operating lightship on the Great Lakes and served for over 50 years when she was retired in 1970. She was permanently moored in sand, along the banks of the St. Clair River in Pine Grove Park. There is an extensive collection of artifacts, including many model ships. Thomas Edison Depot Museum 510 Thomas Edison Parkway., Port Huron MI | 810-455-0035 https://www.phmuseum.org/thomas-edison-depot-museum/ The exhibits portray Edison’s multi-faceted story of creativity, adversity, perseverance and triumph as one of the greatest inventors of our time. Re-created period environments and hands-on displays invite visitors to become participants in this inspiring story and encourage them to apply their own creativity and ingenuity as they learn about Edison’s life and his inventions. Fort Gratiot Lighthouse 2802 Omar St., Port Huron MI | 810-216-6923 https://www.phmuseum.org/fort-gratiot-lighthouse/ Climb and tour Michigan’s oldest operating lighthouse rebuilt in 1829 and see panoramic views of the Blue Water Bridge, Canada and Lake Huron from atop. The grounds have the Keeper’s Dwelling and the historic Fort Gratiot Hospital. Thumbcoast Heritage Tour Page 4 Knowlton’s Ice Museum of North America 317 Grand River Ave., Port Huron MI | 810-987-5441 http://www.knowltonsicemuseum.org/ Home to one of the largest collections in the USA of ice tools and implements from the 1800s to the early 1900s. You will see the history of ice brought to life! Huron Lady Tour Boat Cruise 207 Water St., Port Huron MI | 810-984-1500 https://huronlady.com/ The Huron Lady sightseeing tours cruise the St. Clair River and travel under the International Blue Water Bridges into Lake Huron. The tour is narrated and focuses on the history of the area, local sights and the significance of shipping in the Great Lakes. Port Huron Museum’s Historic Trolley Tours 1115 Sixth St., Port Huron MI | 810-987-6600 http://www.porthurontownship.org/HeritageMuseum.aspx See the city on a guided tour with an historian on a trolley brought to you by Port Huron Museums. Highlighted tours are Murder & Mayhem, Architectural and Neighborhoods. Port Huron Township Heritage Museum 3800 Lapeer Rd., Port Huron MI | 810-987-6600 http://www.porthurontownship.org/HeritageMuseum.aspx Renovated 1951 Grand Trunk Caboose and 1800’s Malane Schoolhouse located behind the Port Huron Township offices.