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| The Barn Theatre one of Michigan’s most popular performance venues is a summer stock theatre that prides itself on providing quality entertainment to local residents and its many seasonal visitors. The Barn pools in talented volunteers from all over eastern Michigan. With shows ranging form children’s shows to musicals, from dramas to our crowd favorite sex farces, The Barn is guaranteed to have something for everyone. |  |
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Blue Water Winery is a vineyard and winery situated a stone's throw from beautiful Lake Huron just north of Lexington, MI. You are invited to tour the grounds, learn about the vintages then head to the Tasting Pavilion to look, smell and taste to decide your favorite.
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The mighty Bramble has participated in several distinguishing maritime feats across the world. Launched in October of 1943, the ship reported to Port Huron in 1975 and has become a great part of the community.
Decommissioned in 2003 from the United States Coast Guard, it was purchased for the Port Huron Museum. The Bramble, now moored in the newly renovated port is open for tours telling of past history of her travels all over the world. |  |
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Tour Michigan's oldest working lighthouse, built, in 1814, by Lucius Lyon, one of Michigan's two first U.S. Senators. Today, the lighthouse is completely automated, with a range of 16 miles, and flashes for one-half second for every 15 seconds. After more than 170 years since the first light was exhibited at Fort Gratiot a silent sentinel still beams out to guide a new generation of mariners. In 1971 the Michigan Historical Commission named Fort Gratiot Lighthouse a Historical Site.
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| Enliven your extraordinary itinerary by planning around a community event. The Blue Water Area loves its festivals and town celebrations! Check the Events Calendar for what's ahead. |  |
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| Frank Murphy was a national defender of civil rights, born right here in Harbor Beach in 1890. He attended the University of Michigan Law School. Murphy lists many accomplishments, including: Mayor of Detroit, Governor-General/U.S. High Commissioner of the Philippine Islands, Governor of Michigan, Attorney General of the United States and a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Murphy's first home in Harbor Beach was both home and law office. Later a larger home was made next door for the family. Now, both buildings are the Murphy museum. |  |
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| Step back in time at the Grice House Museum. Adjacent to the Harbor Beach Marina, the Grice House Museum offers those in the present a glimpse at life in the past. The Grice House is associated with several generations of the Grice family who were significant to the development and continued growth of Harbor Beach and reflects a level of craftsmanship and local style significant to the architectural heritage of Michigan. |  |
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This park provides a variety of entertainment options of history, beauty and fun! Step back in time and visit the Historical Village, a tribute to St. Clair County's rich history. The Farm Museum represents over 150 years of farming. Take some time for quiet reflection in the Butterfly Garden and the MIA/POW Memorial, which bring special significance to the park. The Playground area and Splashpad offers great fun for the younger crowd.
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| You'll see her standing tall as Port Huron's Flagship Ambassador. This gaff-rigged topsail schooner was built in 1924. She served 47 years as a Boston Harbor pilot ship, was purchased to circumnavigate the globe, got as far as Fiji and was sold in 1976. Her new owner obtained U.S. Coast Guard certification as a school-ship. Sold again in 1998, and used extensively to train young seafarers. Now docked at the Seaway Terminal in Port Huron, providing educational experiences for the public. |  |
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Tour Holy Cross Church to view the spectacular stained glass windows which are registered with the Michigan Stained Glass Cenus. Then hear the beautiful sounds of an 1861 Tracker Organ, one of few remaining.
The church has a great history. Reverend Gabriel Richard was known as the “Frontier Ambassador”. He purchased a tract of land, a Peninsula formed at the intersection of the St. Clair River and the Belle River, and known in the public records as “Catholic Pointe”. |  |
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| Explore the Blue Water Area from a different perspective...from the water! Take a scenic, narrated boat cruise from historic downtown Port Huron and into the crystal blue waters of the St. Clair River and Lake Huron. View Great Lake freighters, the double span of the International Blue Water Bridge, Fort Gratiot Lighthouse and more during an afternoon, evening or dinner cruise. |  |
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| Enjoy a first hand look at how sailors lived and worked on board a lightship. Lightships were like floating lighthouses, anchored in areas that were too deep, expensive or impractical to construct a lighthouse. Eventually, lighted buoys replaced lightships on the Great Lakes and in 1971 the Huron Lightship, the last of her kind, retired from service. In 1990, she was designated a National Historical Landmark, the only lightship on the Great Lakes to be so honored. |  |
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This display seeks to preserve and display over 3,000 items used in the cutting, harvesting, storing, selling, and use of natural ice as used by the ice industry of years ago.
Also, explore a room full of dolls from around the world and baby buggies of every description.
Now in its new location in downtown Port Huron!
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A "The Premiere Performance Venue", committed to bringing world class entertainment to the Blue Water Area. Featuring a variety of cultural productions and performances. The restored architecture and vintage appeal creates an intimate setting for viewers and performers alike.
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Explore an enormous inventory of this three-story buidling! Find antiques and collectibles including glass, pottery, art, toys, lighting, nautical, restorations, lace, architectural, rugs, linens, jewelry, china, clocks, tin, paper and furniture.
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The largest mail order company of exclusive needlework and craft kits in North America. Visit the world famous 20,000 square foot retail store featuring the finest selection of needlework and crafts. Special demonstrations and mini-classes are available.
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| Raymond True Value Hardware is the oldest operating hardware store in Michigan, established in historic Port Sanilac in 1850 by Uri Raymond. Most of his wares arrived from Cleveland by ship, and much of what he sold went out the same way. In 1888, the hardware was moved to its present location, at 29 S. Ridge St. The business remained in the Raymond family until 1969. Today it is still the place to go for everything you think you need. |  |
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| Discover the home-grown attractions of the Blue Water Area! There are many orchards and produce farms with the freshest ingredients including crisp apples, juicy berries and veggies as well as home-made honey, pies, pastries and other yummy goods! And of course the apple cider and donuts! |  |
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Port Huron's hub of cultural discovery. Explore fascinating monthly exhibits along with the museum's permanent displays. In this 1904 building built by Andrew Carnegie, you can view Wooly Mammoth bones, the remains of a Woodlands Culture Fishing Village, Fort Gratiot artifacts, Fort St. Joseph and the French Fur Trade, ship models and nautical objects, a Victorian parlor and models of the railroad and river tunnel. The Museum is your passport to Arts, History and Marine Heritage.
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| A captivating history of merchant fur traders, destructive lake storms, mineral springs to restore the soul and small-town tales surround the Blue Water Area. Being proud of the remarkable culture, there are several area museums waiting to boast their knowledge on fresh visitors. Explore one or all for an array of rich history. |  |
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| A collection of nine historic buildings located on ten acres of the original Dr. Joseph Loop estate. Step back in time as you wander through the beautiful gardens and the Victorian, Edwardian, and vintage buildings and exhibits that are featured on the property. Permanent collections include marine shipwreck items, military memorabilia, and Native American artifacts. The 1872 Loop-Harrison mansion is furnished in period. A functioning centennial schoolhouse, and a turn of the century General Store and Historic Church still fulfill their original purposes. |  |
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Studio 1219...home to the arts in the Blue Water Area! The largest public art facility in Michigan's Thumb Region, the Studio offers a fine arts gallery, pottery studio, gallery gift shop, solo artist exhibits and art classes. Hosting special art-friendly, cultural events throughout the year...stop in for some creative fun!
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| A refreshing destination for professionals and amateurs alike. This park gives a unique opportunity to appreciate nature and its beauties. Plant and flower collections include more than 750 different kinds of woody plant specimens. The crabapple collection ranks as the region’s most diverse assortment, and the lilac collection is the most diverse in Michigan—offering six weeks of blooms annually. |  |
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Take a trip through the past, tour Thomas Edison's life. The Museum is located in the Railroad Depot of the historic Fort Gratiot Station of the Grand Trunk Railroad. Thomas Edison worked as a "news butcher" selling candy and newspapers and conducted his first scientific experiments on the train between Port Huron and Detroit. An authentic railcar with a recreation of Edison's mobile printing shop and chemistry laboratory is part of the display.
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If shopping is your group's favorite pastime, be sure to explore the options we have to offer! Historic downtowns present you with quaint specialty shops and boutiques. Also consider Birchwood Mall in Fort Gratiot, with over 100 stores including, Macy's, JC Penney, Sears, Target, and Younkers. Port Huron Outlet Center, in Kimball brings many more great shopping values!
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Perfect spot for viewing river traffic and the majestic feighters that move up and down the St. Clair River. Learn interesting facts about the ships as they pass, see what the underwater camera is viewing and find artifacts and histories of Port Huron's martime lore. Coffee shop also on site and free WiFi available.
Located in the Maritime Center is the headquarters for www.boatnerd.com. Everything you want to learn about Great Lake freighters you will find at this location. |  |
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A meal overlooking the water will top off a beautiful day in the Blue Water Area. Whether it gazes out at the blue waters of the St. Clair River, the wide expanse of Lake Huron, or over one of our inland waterways, many waterfront restaurants are waiting to serve you!
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