The Benzie Area Historical Society offers books, maps, images and other items relating to the history of Benzie County and Northwest Lower Michigan. Most of these items can be purchased at our museum, or via credit card using our Online Store below. Feel free to contact the Museum with any questions or for additional assistance with an order. Thank you!
Historic Walking Tour of Thompsonville The Benzie Area Historical Society presents the Thompsonville Historic Walking Tour. Join Chuck Kraus on Wednesday, August 19th, at 7 pm for a historic walking tour of Thompsonville. Please meet at the historic marker on Thompson Ave across from Geno’s. Space is limited to 20. The event is free, but donations are […]
Historic Walking Tour – Honor The Benzie Area Historical Society presents the Honor Historic Walking Tour. Join Jane Purkis on Tuesday, August 25th, at 7 pm for a historic walking tour of Honor. The tour is about 10 blocks walking on a sidewalk and the side of a road. We will be crossing Highway 31. Please meet […]
Lake Ann Historic Walking Tour The Benzie Area Historical Society has partnered with the Almira Historical Society, which will lead a historical walking tour of the Village of Lake Ann. Please meet at the Almira Historical Society Museum, 19440 Maple St, Lake Ann, MI, around 4:45 pm. The walk will be approximately 1 mile long, starting with […]
Historic Walking Tour- Frankfort: Leelanau Ave. The Benzie Area Historical Society presents the Frankfort Historic Walking Tour of Leelanau Ave. Join Tim Foster on Sunday, September 6th, at 2 pm for a guided historic walking tour of Leelanau Ave in Frankfort. Please meet at the corner of 6th Street and Leelanau Ave. There is a […]
“More than a Marm: The Power of One Person to Leave a Lasting Legacy” Presented by: Douglas A. Glick June 11, 2026, 7 pm Mills Community House & ZOOM Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/jc/88019547867 We don’t always know the impact our lives will have, either during our lifetimes or after. Often, we can be blind to how […]
“Life on the Car Ferries” Presented by: Tim Foster Ever wonder what it was like to work on the car ferries? Or how about living on one? View this replay of our May 14, 2026 Benzonia Academy Lecture as Tim Foster takes an in-depth look at what it was like to live and work on […]
“The Frankfort Lakeside Literary Club: 1895 to 1992” Presented by: Marianne Fleetwood & Pat Campbell Video Replay Link: https://youtu.be/zZ0_ozicft4 March is Women’s History Month, the perfect time to celebrate the women of the Lakeside Literary Club and their 97-year history. Come meet the women who helped shape the village of Frankfort and Benzie County using […]
“The History of Crystal Highlands” Presented by: Anne Rogers Replay Link on YouTube: https://youtu.be/u1RU9gNXU5Q High on a glacial moraine above Crystal Lake’s north shore is Crystal Highlands, a community that celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025. In the early part of the 20th century, after the logging era, orchards and farms were established in the […]
“Feuding Founders: Collaboration & Conflict Between John Adams and Thomas Jefferson” Presented by: Michael Nagle Video Replay Link: https://youtu.be/xwbXtwldedw The year 2026 will mark 250 years since the thirteen colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence. Among others, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams worked together to draft this founding document in American history. Their collaborative efforts […]
“Benzonia Public Library & Mills Community House: 100 Years of Service” Presented by: Jane Purkis & Jimmy McLaren Video Replay Link: https://youtu.be/6itollR1WCw In 2025, the Benzonia Public Library and the Mills Community House celebrated 100 years of service to the Benzie community. In this lecture, Jane Purkis and Jimmy McLaren share the history of the […]
