Shay Days

Shay Days is the Harbor Springs Area Historical Society’s longest running event, celebrating its 28th anniversary in 2026. 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 water works system, constructed a logging railway and built his iconic Hexagon House and a steel yacht.

In 2025, Shay Days included the grand opening of the Ephraim Shay Works Museum inside Shay’s historic 1892 home. The museum is open year-round; visit http://HarborSpringsHistory.org for more details and visitor information.