Middle Bass Club Historical Preservation Project

Welcome to the MBCHPP YouTube channel.  The Middle Bass Club, formerly known as Toledo and Lake Erie Boating and Fishing Association, was started in 1874 on the western shore of Middle Bass Island in Lake Erie.  This prestigious summer resort quickly drew the attention of national leaders. Four U.S. presidents—Rutherford B. Hayes, Benjamin Harrison, Grover Cleveland, and William H. Taft—visited the MBC. Away from the public eye, political leaders used these quiet island retreats to meet with members, build political influence, and secure investments from its wealthy membership.

To ensure these stories are not lost to time, the Middle Bass Historical Preservation Project was founded in March 2026. As an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit, our mission is to collect, preserve, and catalog historical photos and documents telling the story of the Club, its members, and its famous guests.  Beyond archiving the past, MBCHPP is dedicated to supporting local historical societies and museums.