Shay Days is the Historical Society's longest running event, celebrating its 27th anniversary in 2025. This two-day family-friendly event focuses on STEAM education, highlighting the ingenuity, innovation and history of inventor Ephraim Shay. Shay lived in Harbor Springs from 1888 until his death in 1916. Famous for his patented, geared locomotive, Shay also designed Harbor Springs’ first city water works system, constructed a logging railway and built the historic 1892 Hexagon House.

Schedule of Events:

10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Model Steam Trains - Shay Park
Stop by and meet the Michigan Small Scale Live Steamers, model train experts who will be running their trains all day. The trains have real steam boilers and are a delight to watch.

10:00 am - 3:00 pm: STEAM Innovations Craft Area - Shay Park
Create STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) crafts and projects including a "penny boat float" experiment and more.

10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Electric Train Layouts - History Museum
Visit the Northern Michigan Railroad Club and enjoy their electric train layouts. The club has a Junior Engineer program and is happy to chat about the model railroading hobby.

10:30 am: "In Shay's Day" Walking Tour - History Museum
Begins at History Museum and heads toward Ottawa Stadium before returning along Bay Street. Guests learn what town was like during Shay's life in Harbor Springs. Registration required.

Shay Locomotive Talk & Birthday Party - Shay Park
1 pm Talk; 2 pm Birthday Party
A short talk on the history of the Shay Locomotive, followed by a birthday party and cake with Ephraim Shay himself!