History of the Show

The Les Cheneaux Islands Antique Wooden Boat Show has been a major attraction since it began in 1978 and it continues to improve every year.   

Two seasonal residents of the Islands, Chuck Letts and Ken Horsburgh each had beautiful antique wooden boats. Because of the cold water and short boating season, they felt that there were probably more boats from the early 1900s through the thirties still used regularly in the Islands than anywhere else.  Chuck and Ken took their idea to the Les Cheneaux Chamber of Commerce, convinced 30 volunteers to help, and the “Boat Show” was born in the small town of Hessel.

Today, 46 years later, the Les Cheneaux Historical Association has been operating the “Boat Show” for over 3 decades. The show has grown to attract nearly 150 antique and classic boats and have more than 300 volunteers annually.  Our “small town” show is known as one of the largest of its kind in the country.

Fun fact: E.J. Mertaugh Boat Works, which is included at the eastern end of the boat show, was the first Chris-Craft dealerships in the U.S. (outside of Algonac, MI) and continues to thrive serving the residents and visitors to the Les Cheneaux Islands.