Tracks of Tradition: Shay Locomotive Dedication & Presentation

The Historical Society invites the public to a special celebration marking the arrival of Shay Locomotive No. 2005 to downtown Harbor Springs. The public dedication will take place on Friday, June 13 at 4:00 pm in Shay Park, followed by a 5:30 pm history talk by Shay locomotive expert Martin Hansen at the Harbor Springs History Museum.

DEDICATION CEREMONY | 4:00 PM | SHAY PARK
The dedication ceremony is free and open to the public. Only limited seating will be provided, so attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs. The program will include remarks by HSAHS Program Coordinator Beth Wemigwase, who will reflect on the historic significance of a Shay locomotive returning to Harbor Springs.

FRIDAY, JUNE 13 at 5:30 pm & SATURDAY, JUNE 14 at 11 am - PRESENTATION | HISTORY MUSEUM
Following the dedication (and again on Satuday morning), Martin Hansen will speak on the broader history of the Shay locomotive and its national and global impact. His talk will take place on the second floor of the Harbor Springs History Museum and refreshments will be provided. Registration is required as these talks will sell out. To register with a donation, use the drop down menu below, to register without a donation click here or call 231-526-9771. Friday presentation is SOLD OUT, Saturday is still open.

A lifelong railroad expert and federally licensed locomotive engineer, Martin Hansen has restored and operated historic engines for decades. He played a key role in locating and securing Shay No. 2005 for the Historical Society. Over the past 40 years, Hansen has bought and sold 65 locomotives. He is the author of Timber Titans: Baldwin’s Articulated Logging Locomotives and editor of The Shay Locomotive: An Illustrated History, which features over 250 photographs from his collection.

This event will be held rain or shine in Shay Park.