Welcome to the Allegan County Historical Society

Located in beautiful Allegan County, MI

The Allegan County Historical Society was established in 1954 with the goals of preserving Allegan County history with artifacts and developing an Allegan County Museum. The Allegan County Historical Society is a nonprofit volunteer organization.

The museum has been our home since 1964. The museum is known as the Old Jail Museum, built in 1906 and is located in downtown Allegan. The Museum was the Allegan County jail and the sheriff’s residence from 1906 – 1963. It houses over 10,000 Allegan County artifacts that will give you a glimpse into the county’s past.

The Historical Society also has a historical village at the Allegan County Fairground consisting of eighteen various historical buildings brought in from various locations throughout the county.

Celebrating Our Heritage

Allegan County’s rich historical past stretches through countless generations. The native Americans, the early settlers of the 1830s, the farmers, the lumbermen, the businessmen, to present residents, have all contributed to make the county what it is today. Using artifacts, stories, pictures, and research, the Allegan County Historical Society tries to preserve the history of the county.

About the Society