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Bay County Historical Society's Collections
 The Historical Museum is the repository for over 500,00 artifacts specifically related to the history of Bay County; some
as small as a scrap of paper or a coin, to large items such as implements, furniture and appliances. Note: At the present
time we are not accepting new donations, but we will update our website when this changes in the future.
Special Collections The museum also serves as the repository for special collections that are separate from our
general collection:
 Patrol Craft Sailors Association (PCSA)
It is the national holding
for the PATROL CRAFT SAILORS ASSOCIATION (PCSA), an international, naval veterans organization dedicated to preserving the history of World War II and Korea-era Patrol Craft
and their crews, and of the Cyclone-class Patrol Coastals of today's Navy. Our motto, "Too Good to be Forgotten"
speaks for itself. The PCSA was founded in 1986 and incorporated in the state of Illinois in 1987 as a nonprofit, veterans
organization.
Bay City, Michigan was chosen as the site for the PCSA Collection and Archives, as it is considered
to be the "Birthplace of the PC." Defoe Shipbuilding Company of Bay City built the first two prototype, pre
World War II, 173-foot Patrol Craft there in 1939-1940, as well as constructing another 56 PCs during WW II, more than any
of the other fifteen shipbuilders in the PC program. (The photo at left shows USS PC 1130 under construction at Defoe Shipbuilding
Company) Since
1994 the Historical Museum of Bay County has been the repository for the Patrol Craft Sailors Association Collection. The
collection currently consists of over 9000 artifacts, the majority of which are black and white photos and postcards from
the WWII era, as well as more recent color photos from PCSA reunions. There is also a good representation of photos
and items relating to the new PCs built by Bollinger Shipyards. Other artifacts include books, diaries, technical manuals,
uniforms, insignia, flags, souvenirs and videotapes. Researchers are able to find information in our research library
on individual patrol vessels, service schools, the PCSA and other related topics.
As part of our ongoing Image Digitization and Access Project, all possible photos in this collection have been scanned and
are available to be viewed as thumbnails in the Butterfield Memorial Research Library. They are organized by ship hull
number as well as by topic and copies of these photos are now available to PCSA members and their families.
Questions or Research Requests For questions or research requests specific to these collections please address requests to:
"Special Collections Manager"
Bay County Historical Society
321 Washington Avenue
Bay City, MI
48708
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