Benzie Area Historical Museum
Preserving the Past, Protecting the Future
The Museum
Museum History
In 1879, Charles and Lorinda Bailey donated land for the Benzonia Congregational Church to build its first church, stating that if the building was no longer used as a church, it must revert back to the family. When the congregation built a new church, the only surviving Bailey member, Dorothy Bailey Hensel, inherited the property, which included the church building.
With the help of other interested parties, Dorothy started the Benzie Area Historical Society in 1969. At that time, the Society established the Benzie Area Historical Museum to be housed in the old Congregational Church building. In 1983, the building was designated a historic site by the State of Michigan.
When lightening struck the steeple in June 1985, a fire destroyed the main roof and upper walls of the building. The museum was closed for two years for repairs, and reopened in April 1987.
After an extensive building drive, a new two-story climate-controlled addition with an elevator was added in 2000. The first floor houses the museum administrative offices, storage for artifacts and documents, and exhibit space. The second floor has exhibit space and the museum store.
On the west side of the museum, the old church’s Memorial Garden has been revitalized with native plants, stone edging and winding walkways. Behind the museum to the south is a temperature and climate-controlled storage building for documents and artifacts which was erected in 2001. The pavilion for large logging and agricultural artifacts was completed in 2006.
Going to School the Old Way
The Benzie Area Historical Society owns a one-room school, located at the corner of Fowler Road and Valley Road in Platte Township. It was in use from 1906 – 1943 and housed kindergarten through 8th grades.
When the Drake School was donated to the Benzie Area Historical Society, Platte Township residents, particularly members of the Platte Grange, restored the building and grounds. Through our Junior Historian program, it is used to teach elementary students how lessons were taught when the school was in use. During recess, they play old-fashioned games. A grant allowed us to purchase slates, slate pencils, straw hats for the boys and bonnets for the girls so they could experience what it was like in the “good old days.” The Drake School is open for tours on weekends in July and August.
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In 1879, Charles and Lorinda Bailey donated land for the Benzonia Congregational Church to build its first church, stating that if the building was no longer used as a church, it must revert back to the family. When the congregation built a new church, the only surviving Bailey member, Dorothy Bailey Hensel, inherited the property, which included the church building.
With the help of other interested parties, Dorothy started the Benzie Area Historical Society in 1969. At that time, the Society established the Benzie Area Historical Museum to be housed in the old Congregational Church building. In 1983, the building was designated a historic site by the State of Michigan.
When lightening struck the steeple in June 1985, a fire destroyed the main roof and upper walls of the building. The museum was closed for two years for repairs, and reopened in April 1987.
After an extensive building drive, a new two-story climate-controlled addition with an elevator was added in 2000. The first floor houses the museum administrative offices, storage for artifacts and documents, and exhibit space. The second floor has exhibit space and the museum store.
On the west side of the museum, the old church’s Memorial Garden has been revitalized with native plants, stone edging and winding walkways. Behind the museum to the south is a temperature and climate-controlled storage building for documents and artifacts which was erected in 2001. The pavilion for large logging and agricultural artifacts was completed in 2006.
Going to School the Old Way
The Benzie Area Historical Society owns a one-room school, located at the corner of Fowler Road and Valley Road in Platte Township. It was in use from 1906 – 1943 and housed kindergarten through 8th grades.
When the Drake School was donated to the Benzie Area Historical Society, Platte Township residents, particularly members of the Platte Grange, restored the building and grounds. Through our Junior Historian program, it is used to teach elementary students how lessons were taught when the school was in use. During recess, they play old-fashioned games. A grant allowed us to purchase slates, slate pencils, straw hats for the boys and bonnets for the girls so they could experience what it was like in the “good old days.” The Drake School is open for tours on weekends in July and August.
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