Benzie Area Historical Society and Museum — Attraction in Benzonia Township

I visited as an out-of-stater who had very specific questions. The staff did their absolute best to help me understand the Benzonia area's history and how my Minnesota quest fits into the Michigan local history. I did not set up an appointment, I ambushed the staff as soon as it opened one day; tried to make appointment but hours and phone answering was not efficient for my visit times.

They have a wonderful exhibit set up upstairs and downstairs which would be useful for all ages. I did not "take the tour" but staff answered questions as I came up with them.

One problem is that, because so many staff are volunteers, they don't all know the same stuff. Keep asking and go back again if you need to.

It looks like there are good things there for kids: kid-oriented staff-lead tours, contests, preplanned activities for distractable little ones, etc.

Staff were very kind and patient with me.

No formal bookstore, but they do sell some...

We’ve been to some big, impressive exhibits at Henry ford about American life through the different decades but it didn’t hold a torch to how cool this place was. It’s a small local museum we just decided to visit on a whim but it was so worth it! Everything is donated by the local community, so it was like a time machine into an entire town. Lab equipment, instruments, town charters, clothing, food, games, tools, are all jam packed into interesting displays so suddenly a few small rooms turns into an entire afternoon. My favorite part was the surgical equipment with volumes from the late 1800’s to the 1950’s. There was a thick volume of how to make medicine for common ailments, along with an actual femur that had been...

Played with the Benzie Community Band at the Benzie Historical Museum on July 27th. Barb Mort is the Executive Director. Excellent Historical place to learn about the area. Fabulous exhibits and knowledgeable docents. Excellent place to take a field trip and go back in time.

The Benzie Community Band played another concert on July 19, 2023. Barb Mort has retired. She is an amazing woman. Now Matt Varnum has taken the reigns of Executive Director. ...