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The Rathbone school

The Rathbone School and Museum
is located in the center of Eagle Harbor.

ANNOUNCEMENTS -- This is a test web site designed only to be seen by KCHS Board members. It is based on the existing KCHS web site, uses the much of the same content as the existing site but has major technical and design changes and additional content. Take the link below to the announcements page for all the details.
All of the KCHS Museums are closed for the 2013 season. We will post the 2014 schedule of activities in the spring.
Check the Sites and Museum Schedule page for hours and locations for all 11 KCHS museums for the past 2013 season.

Press here to see all of the current announcements.

Fresnel lens

Even though the school had closed the
building was still a tour stop for many
groups including this group from the
Knights of Pythias .

Located in Eagle Harbor, two blocks west of the harbor's swimming beach, this extensively restored one-room school served the community from 1853 to 1872. It was in this building that Justus H. Rathbone, who began teaching here in 1860, conceived the idea for the ritual of the Knights of Pythias, a secret fraternal society which he founded. This interdenominational organization, which had a peak membership of a quarter-million, continues to conduct its charitable work across North America.

The school has long been an object of pilgrimage by society members. In 1931, a thousand members gathered to pay homage to their society's founder and to witness the unveiling of the nearby granite monument in honor of Justus Rathbone.

The historic property was deeded by the society to Keweenaw County Historical Society in 1982. Its interior is furnished as it was in its time as a school and includes Knights of Pythias exhibits.

Donation requested.

 

Planning your visit

Hours & Admission - The Rathbone school and museum is open mid-June to early October. There is no admission charge for this museum.

Location -The Rathbone School is located at the intersection of 3rd and Center streets in the town of Eagle Harbor, Michigan. GPS: N 47 27.441  W 88 09.761, Decimal Degrees: 47.45735, -88.16268

Need a map? Click on this small Google Map to open a larger version that will give you complete access to a larger Google map of the area, satellite view, etc. You may use this link to go to Google Maps Help if you are not familiar with Google Maps.

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Related Links - You may wish to explore the following web sites for additional information on the Rathbone School and the Knights of Pythias.

The Knights of Pythias

Wikipedia - Eagle Harbor School House