Catawba Island Historical Society

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Port Clinton, OH
Catawba Island Historical Society

We're open for visitors:
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 10am to 4pm
Every second and fourth Saturday of the month 10am to 4pm

To preserve, protect, promote and provide access to the artifacts, relics, documents and information related to the rich history of Catawba Island, Ohio. *Please note our SATURDAY HOURS are the 2nd and 4th Saturday each month

05/29/2026

🍎 Flashback Friday: Take a trip down memory lane to the Catawba Island School hallways! Today’s flashback features the 5th-grade class of 1960-1961. It was a year of growing up on the Island, likely filled with recess by Lake Erie and lessons in the classic classrooms we remember so fondly. Leading the way that year were two legendary educators Principal Hilda Nelson and Teacher Margaret Heidorf.
👀Take a close look at those faces! Whether you were in this class or recognize a sibling, neighbor, or friend, we’d love to hear from you.
A huge thank you to Nancy Mackey for donating this wonderful piece of our Island's history to the archives!

05/28/2026

🔔 The Bell Has Rung: We are officially OPEN! 🔔
Summer is finally here, and the Catawba Island Historical Society Museum at Union Chapel is back for our 9th season! Our President, David Wonnell, kicked things off yesterday by ringing the Union Chapel bell to signal the start of another great year of history and heritage.

📸 Opening Day Highlights:
The Big Ring: David Wonnell officially opened the doors!

A Grand Prize: Our Trustees and Curator were on hand to greet everyone and draw the winner of our Private Tour Raffle. One lucky member just won an exclusive tour for themselves and 6 guests!

First Guests: A huge shoutout to the Reith family from Marysville, Ohio, our very first visitors of the season! While visiting family nearby, their daughters took on our museum scavenger hunt—it was a hit!

🏛️ Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re a local history buff or just visiting for the weekend, there is something for everyone at the museum. From the scavenger hunt for the kids to our deep-dive exhibits on island life, it’s the perfect way to spend a beautiful day.

Location: Union Chapel, 5258 East Porter Street, Catawba Island

Admission: Free (Donations & Memberships always appreciated!)

Come out and see us— history is waiting!
Mon-Wed-Thu; 2nd & 4th Sat; 10am - 4pm; Evening Hours: 2nd Wed of the month 4-7pm

05/27/2026

🏛️ New Season at Union Chapel Museum

The Catawba Island Historical Society is officially open TODAY, May 27 with refreshed displays and significant new additions to its collection.

🔔 Featured Exhibit: The District #2 School Bell
The centerpiece of the new upgrades is a powerful piece of local history.

The Artifact: A massive cast iron bell from the former District #2 schoolhouse (previously at E. Porter and N. Crogan Streets). While the original school building was tragically destroyed by fire on Thanksgiving Day 2023, this bell was saved and gifted to the museum by CIFD.

🍺 Local Heritage: The Twin Oast Collection
The museum is celebrating the island's modern agricultural roots through a vibrant display of Twin Oast beverage cans. Many of the beverage names feature "clever and humorous monikers" that reference specific pieces of Catawba history.

📅 Plan Your Visit
Admission is free for all guests.

Standard Hours:

Days: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Saturdays: 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month.

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Season End: September 26.

Special Evening Hours:
For those who can’t make it during the day, the museum will stay open late on the second Wednesday of the month: June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9!

05/22/2026

Opening Day is almost here! 🏛️✨Dr. Thomas is giving the inside scoop on our brand-new exhibits to some of our incredible CIHS volunteers. You won't want to miss what we’ve been working on!

📅 Join us: Wednesday, May 27 from 10am - 4pm
📍 Where: CIHS Museum at Union Chapel

05/20/2026

Summer is calling from Catawba Island! ☀️ We are thrilled to announce that the CIHS Museum at Union Chapel will officially open its doors for the season on Wednesday, May 27th.

Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a first-time visitor, come step back in time with us. Explore the rich history of our island—from its geological roots to its legendary orchards—all within the beautiful, historic 1888 Union Chapel.

📍 5258 E. Porter St.
🗓 Opening May 27
🕙 Hours: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Mon, Wed, Thu & select Saturdays)

Admission is free! Come for a visit, soak up the history, and start your summer off right. 🛶🍇

05/18/2026

It's , Why does CIHS matter to you? Here is what one member had to say:
Membership is the lifeblood of the Catawba Island Historical Society. When you join, you aren't just a donor—you're a protector of our local heritage.
Become a member today: 🔗 catawbaislandhistoricalsociety.com

05/17/2026

Join us for Opening Day at the Catawba Island Historical Society Museum at Union Chapel on May 27!

05/15/2026

🛥️ Flashback Friday: A View from Above!
Check out this bird's-eye view of Sugar Rock Marina, captured back in the late 1970s! ⚓
For those who spend their summers on the water, you’ll recognize this today as the CIC South Marina (since 2021). It’s fascinating to see how the docks and the shoreline looked back when the marina was owned and operated by the Ray Muncey Family.
A special thank you to Edward Welch for donating this incredible aerial perspective to our collection!
Does this bring back memories of summers at Sugar Rock? Tell us your stories in the comments! 👇

05/06/2026

Shining a Light on Local History! ⚓️

Ever wonder about the stories behind the oldest continuously operating lighthouse on the Great Lakes? Join the Catawba Island Historical Society for our spring speaker event featuring Johnson’s Island resident, Dennis Kennedy.

Dennis will be diving deep into the fascinating background of the iconic Marblehead Lighthouse. Whether you're a history buff or just love our local shoreline, this is a presentation you won't want to miss!

📅 When: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
⏰ Time: 6:00 p.m.
📍 Where: Catawba Island Township Community Center
💰 Cost: FREE and open to the public!

Come early to grab a seat and bring a friend! We can't wait to see you there. 🌊🏛️

05/04/2026

Catawba Island Historical Society is thrilled to recognize the achievements of two outstanding students at the PCHS Rotary Honors Banquet held on April 29.

We are incredibly proud to announce this year’s scholarship recipients:
🎓Jenna Boykin– Recipient of the Catawba Island Historical Society Scholarship
🎓Caden Hanson – Recipient of the Catawba Island Historical Society William & Darleen Van Der Giessen Scholarship

Supporting the next generation of leaders while preserving our local history is at the heart of what we do. Congratulations, Jenna and Caden! We can’t wait to see the amazing things you achieve. 🌟

THANK YOU, Bill & Darleen Van Der Giessen for your continued support of the CIHS Scholarship Program!

Address

5258 E Porter Street
Port Clinton, OH
43452

Telephone

(419) 967-5363

Website

https://catawbaislandhistoricalsociety.com/

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