Barbara Mort is the Executive Director of the Benzie Area Historical Society & Museum. The group's mission is to connect people to our region's past.
Housed in the 1887 Congregational Church building since 1969, the Museum itself is the Historical Society's most important artifact. It is on the Michigan State Register of Historic Sites and contains permanent exhibits showcasing life in Benzie County.
In addition to having more than 27,000 artifacts, the Museum's archives are available for extensive research services. The Society's activities include an Educational Outreach Program in which Benzie Central students collect oral histories of local residents. The Society also owns the Drake School in Platte Township, where volunteers conduct tours.
The group also conducts a popular lecture series on the second Thursday of each month--temporarily suspended by COVID-19. The pandemic also has forced the Society to close the museum to the public for the time being.
In terms of its long-term needs work will begin on October 1st for a new roof. The Society is also looking to improve its techology with a new server and upgrades of its wi-fi and website. The Historical Society relies heavily on volunteers and is currently looking for someone skilled at editing videos, as well as a woodworker willing to work on an old boat. Other needs include a person with a background in finance and investment, as well as someone interested in subitting articles for the Society's newsletter, Benzie Heritage.