Huron Lightship Museum

The Huron Lightship Museum is a rare monument of maritime engineering located on board the historic lightship Huron (LV-103). Moored in a picturesque park on the banks of the St. Clair River near the city of Sarnia, this ship is the only surviving freshwater lightship of its kind in Canada and the USA.

This vessel, approximately 29 meters long, served as a floating landmark for sailors for over 50 years, warning them of the Great Lakes' dangerous shallow waters. Today, it has been transformed into an authentic museum where every visitor can feel like part of the crew. Thanks to careful restoration, not only the cabins and the bridge have been preserved, but also the working foghorn and light signals.

The museum is unique due to its exceptional state of preservation: here you can see functioning diesel engines and a unique collection of maritime artifacts. Its status as a National Historic Landmark emphasizes the importance of this site in preserving the memory of the heroic service of the Lighthouse Service sailors.

To plan your visit to the Huron Lightship Museum, it is helpful to have the contact information for this unique site handy. The museum is managed by enthusiasts who maintain the vessel in excellent condition and always welcome guests.

A visit to the museum offers a unique experience exploring the interior of a real ship. You can descend into the engine room to see the massive General Motors engines, which are still maintained in working order by volunteers. A walk through the narrow corridors and steep ladders allows you to feel the cramped conditions and the specifics of the daily life of the crew who lived here during months-long shifts.

One of the most exciting parts of the visit is the demonstration of the foghorn and light beacon. Additionally, the ship features a rich display of model ships and historical navigation instruments. An interesting detail is the camera mounted on the bow of the ship, which broadcasts a live image of the river bottom, allowing a glimpse into the underwater world of the St. Clair.

The open decks of the Huron offer magnificent panoramic views of the water and giant cargo ships passing by. After the tour, you can stop by the museum shop for souvenirs or relax in the surrounding Pine Grove Park with a small picnic overlooking the river.

The museum is located in scenic Pine Grove Park on the American shore of the St. Clair River, directly across from the Canadian city of Sarnia. If you are traveling from Canada, the route passes through the Blue Water Bridge border crossing, which is only about a 10-minute drive from the ship.

For those using public transport, Blue Water Area Transit (BWAT) buses operate in the Port Huron area and stop in the immediate vicinity of the park. You can also use taxis or rideshare apps from the city center to save time and get directly to the museum entrance.

If the weather is nice for a stroll, you can reach the museum on foot or by bicycle along the well-maintained Blue Water River Walk. The path from the city center is about 2 kilometers long and offers the opportunity to watch giant freighters passing along the St. Clair River.

The Huron Lightship (LV-103) was laid down in 1918 and launched in 1920. It began its long service as a relief vessel, marking dangerous areas of the Great Lakes. However, its most significant historical period was from 1935 to 1970, when it was permanently moored at Corsica Shoals in the southern part of Lake Huron, guiding ships safely into the St. Clair River.

On board this lightship, the crew stood watch under the most challenging conditions. A powerful searchlight mounted on a mast over 15 meters high and a steam horn that signaled every 30 seconds during fog saved hundreds of vessels from running aground. Interestingly, the Huron became the last lightship to operate on the Great Lakes—after its retirement, this function was fully transferred to automated buoys and radio beacons.

In 1971, after being decommissioned from the Coast Guard fleet, the ship was presented to the City of Port Huron. Thanks to the efforts of historians and volunteers, it was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989. Today, it is not just a museum but a memorial dedicated to all the sailors who ensured the safety of navigation in the pre-digital era.

For a standard tour of the Huron Lightship Museum, 45 to 90 minutes is usually enough. The vessel is compact, but it houses many interesting details that deserve your attention.

If you decide to take a guided tour or want to study the operation of the diesel engines in the machine room in detail, we recommend allowing about 2 hours for your visit. This will also give you time to walk leisurely on deck and take atmospheric photos against the backdrop of the St. Clair River.

The operating hours of the Huron Lightship Museum are seasonal. During the summer period (usually from April to November), the museum welcomes visitors daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. During the rest of the year, the ship is most often open only on weekends—Saturday and Sunday.

Please note that the last entry for a tour is no later than 4:00 PM. Before planning your trip, it is recommended to visit the official museum website to check the current schedule, as it may change depending on weather conditions and volunteer availability.

Exploring the surroundings of Pine Grove Park will help you get a full picture of the region's maritime history. Near the mooring of the Huron, you will find many interesting lighthouses and commemorative markers dedicated to life on the Great Lakes.