The Manistee County Historical Museum serves as a non-profit 501(c)(3), permanent museum, owned and operated by the Manistee County Historical Society and overseen by a board of directors. Our year round knowledgeable staff includes an Executive Director, a secretary and a volunteer staff. Located in Historic Downtown Manistee, the Manistee County Historical Museum is housed inside the Lyman Building at 425 River Street. 

Originally dedicated as the Russell Memorial Building, this structure remains as it was in 1907. The A.H. Lyman Drug Co. was the consolidation of three of Manistee's early drug companies. The A.H. Lyman Co. was the largest drug company north of Grand Rapids by 1890. In 1892 the store expanded and took over 425 River and included a school book department. The business continued at this location after the death of A.H. in 1896 under a corporation of employees headed by F.W. White. The druggist portion of the store closed when Mr. White died in 1951. The school book department continued until 1957. In 1960, the White family gave the building to the museum. A special pharmacy exhibit is kept in remembrance of the store's earlier history.

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Bridging the gap between Manistee County's past and present, the museum serves to preserve, interpret, and educate the public about the history of Manistee County.