by Laura Fitzgerald

For nearly 35 years, the Community Foundation of St. Clair County has supported the Port Huron Museums’ mission in preserving the culture and history of the Blue Water Area for generations to come.

The Foundation has two endowment funds to support the museums: the John R. Dolan Fund, established in 1990, and the Walter K. Brooks Memorial Fund, established in 2000. Combined, the funds have granted nearly $3 million to the museums.

“These two endowments are perfect examples of how the Community Foundation helps donors give back to their favorite causes, long after they’re gone,” said Jackie Hanton, Foundation Vice President. 

The funds provide about 20% of the museum’s yearly operational budget, which is used for daily operations, staff salaries, exhibits, offsite and on-site programming and building costs, said Port Huron Museums Executive Director Veronica Campbell. 

“The funds support our overall mission of preserving the culture and history of our area,” Campbell said. “The funds support general operating funds, so they are a part of everything that we do.”

The Walter K. Brooks Fund was created by the late Jim Acheson, who was a close friend of Brooks. The fund has supported museum operations as the organization’s impact continues to grow. The museum’s third satellite site, the Thomas Edison Depot Museum, was brought online shortly after the fund was established. The museums operate its flagship site – the Carnegie Center – year-round, as well as seasonal sites at the Huron Lightship, the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse and a new site at the Fort Gratiot Hospital.

Port Huron lawyer John R. Dolan, who passed away in 2000, used his estate plan to establish a $400,000 fund in his name to support his favorite charity. “Mr. Dolan and Mr. Acheson both knew they could trust their Community Foundation to manage these permanent funds in perpetuity,” added Hanton.

More about the Port Huron Museums

The Port Huron Museum opened its doors at what used to be the city’s public library on May 3, 1968. The Carnegie Center was originally constructed in 1902 by Pittsburgh-based steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie for $45,000. The flagship location – as well as its satellites – feature permanent exhibits about the history, prehistory and culture of the Blue Water Area.

This year, the museum was instrumental in unveiling the Daniel B. Harrington, a 145-year-old narrow gauge steam engine, for public display at the Wrigley Center in downtown Port Huron.

The Carnegie Center also began offering year-long special exhibits with the inaugural Barbie exhibit in the spring. Plans for next years’ exhibit are in the works.

In August, the museum unveiled the Fort Gratiot Hospital, a nearly 30-year project that was completed with a funding boost from St. Clair County COVID-19 stimulus funds. The historical hospital building displays medical equipment and artifacts from the former military fort.

The Huron Lightship allows guests to learn about regional maritime history as they tour the last floating lightship to operate on the Great Lakes. The Thomas Edison Depot Museum celebrates the boyhood home of the great American inventor and scientist.

The museums also host events with speakers, authors and experts from around the area and the state. Staff host onsite and offsite programming for Scouts of America, Girl Scouts and school groups.

To see seasonal hours, buy tickets to events or learn more about the museums, visit phmuseum.org. All regular admission is free. To donate to the John R. Dolan or Walter K. Brooks Memorial funds, visit stclairfoundation.org/funds/arts-culture/.