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!
“Remembering Crescent: Logging and Life on North Manitou Island” Presented by: Billy H. Rosa Video Replay: https://youtu.be/g3Y7XdeEhXc Forty years after the land was acquired by the National Park Service, the site of the village of Crescent is largely hidden in the 15,000-acre wilderness of North Manitou Island. In this lecture, Billy Rosa shares photos and […]
“Collin’s Drug Store: A Frankfort Institution” Presented by: Rob Jones, MD Video Replay Link: https://youtu.be/Mh_0wHL6cLI The Collin’s Drug Store on Main Street in Frankfort, re-named The Community Drug Store in 1972, has a long and storied history. It opened its doors in 1868 and was started by the adventurous and friendly John B. Collins. The […]
“How a Benzie Boy Became a Global Citizen” Presented by Ron Atkinson Video Replay Link: https://youtu.be/sv40JU3mTek This presentation will provide a narrative of the complex journey that led Ron to become an international citizen—a journey he could not have begun to imagine while growing up in Benzie County and even when he left in the […]
“The Golden Age of Crystal Lake Resorts” Presented by: Larry White Video Replay Link: https://youtu.be/JR20d1YTomo The rise of tourism and recreation in Benzie County can be traced to early resorts that arose along the shores of Crystal Lake in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. With new rail access, and new passenger steamers, visitors […]
“95 years of Luedtke Engineering Company – 1930 to 2025” Presented by: Alan Luedtke Lecture Replay Link: https://youtu.be/vYIqZsRuM8I Founded in 1930 by E.R. “Duke” Luedtke, in Frankfort, Michigan, the Luedtke Engineering Company would grow to become one of the largest marine engineering companies working in the Great Lakes. In their 95 years of operation […]
Benzie Area Historical Society and Oliver Art Center Invite the Public to the Fourth Annual Collaborative Poetry Program FRANKFORT, MI — In celebration of the United States’ Semiquincentennial (250th birthday), the fourth annual ARTiFACTORY program will include not only poetry but also artwork, and we’ll focus on American heritage, identity, and the 250th Anniversary of […]
“The History of Church in Benzie County.” Presented by: Rev. Dinah Haag Thursday, April 9, 2026, 4:00 pm Mills Community House & ZOOM Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82369391486 What do Morgan School and Church, Benzie Area Christian Neighbors, and the Congregational and Christian Assemblies have in common? Rev. Dinah Haag will present the findings of a search […]
Words that Make Art: A National Poetry Month Workshop! A special youth program provided by the Benzie Area Historical Museum & Research Center and the Benzonia Public Library. Calling all young wordsmiths! April is National Poetry Month, and the library is turning into a creative studio for one afternoon only. Does your child love to […]
Thank you, Rotary Charities of Traverse City, for awarding us your Assets for Thriving Communities grant! This grant will assist us with our Archibald Jones Historical Research Center project. The money will go towards our acquisition of museum-grade storage shelves, which will help us properly store our archives and increase our storage capabilities. We greatly […]
Event Description The Benzie Area Historical Society presents the Thompsonville Historic Walking Tour. Join Chuck Kraus on Wednesday, August 20th, 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 welcome […]
