Benzie Area Historical Society & Museum

April 10, 2025 Benzonia Academy Lecture Series: “The Indians of the Midwest & the Fight for their Homeland.” Presented by: Robert Downes Information & ZOOM Link

"Aral: Saga of a Ghost Town," Presented By Jerry Heiman - Video Replay

BENZONIA ACADEMY LECTURE – Video Replay

“Aral: Saga of a Ghost Town”

Presented By:

Jerry Heiman

Our Mission

The mission of the Benzie Area Historical Society is to connect people to the past through the vibrant story of our region. By collecting, preserving, and interpreting the history of the Benzie area, we link past with present and inspire future generations.

Land Acknowledgment Statement

The Benzie Area Historical Society recognizes the land which aligns with our mission and vision as ancestral lands of The Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe (Chippewa), Odawa (Ottawa), and Potawatomi (Bodewadmi) Anishinaabek communities. The land on which the Museum and Drake School reside occupies land ceded in the 1855 Treaty of Washington. We recognize and express gratitude to the Anishinaabek people for their stewardship of the land and cultural gifts to our local region and beyond.

The Benzie Area Historical Museum

Our museum features permanent exhibits showcasing virtually all aspects of life here in Benzie County since its inception in 1869 as well as two to four special exhibits annually. We currently have more than 37,000 artifacts in our collection.