About Us

Situated right next to the historic Put-in-Bay Town Hall, is the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society Museum.

Originally the Put-in-Bay Centennial Celebration Committee, formed in 1975 to celebrate the founding of the village. The original organizers always dreamed of a museum to showcase the islands' history after the 3-year Centennial Celebration.

The first full museum board was elected by the museum membership on September 27, 1986, and the museum opened in the old Put-in-Bay Bottling Works building on June 6, 1987.

The mission of the Historical Society is to educate the local community and island visitors of the island’s rich history, and to protect the museum's artifacts.

The museum includes four buildings. The original Bottling Works building, a 6,000 square foot museum building that opened in 1998, a large barn that houses the Heritage Resale Shop, and a smaller building that's part pf the Heritage Resale Shop. The museum building houses a Research Library and the History Archives. The society hosts programs, events, tours, and lectures throughout the year.

Looking for a way to take home a piece of Put-in-Bay while supporting a great cause? Be sure to stop in the museum’s Heritage Resale Shop. Here you will find unique second-hand items, a mix of unique items donated by island businesses as well as individuals for bargain prices. We only accept items in good usable condition. Your treasure hunt starts here!

We also have a museum gift shop that features a variety of local history books and Island Author Bob Dodge's book "Isolated Splendor".

All proceeds benefit the Lake Erie Islands Historical Society, a private 501c3 non-profit.