About Us

Our Mission

The Schoolcraft Historical Society shall collect, preserve and perpetuate the historic heritage of Schoolcraft County, Michigan, and of the records of the early settlers of the County and of the families of Schoolcraft County people and of the churches, schools and other institutions, and to arouse in the friends and citizens of the county an interest in its history; to encourage the love of local history in the youth of the County; to foster and support investigation, study and research into the historical information pertaining to the County; to publish, and disseminate historical information; and to encourage the preservation of historical sites and structures. The Schoolcraft County Historical Society Webpage was created to promote public awareness, understanding, and appreciation for Schoolcraft County’s history and traditions.

 

New Museum Fund Drive

Riverside Coal and Produce Company building circa 1919

The Schoolcraft County Historical Society has begun a capital campaign to fund a new museum.  Hundreds of artifacts relating to the rich history of Schoolcraft County are stored away in the society’s archive building, inaccessible to the public—all for the lack of a suitable place to display them.

     The former Manistique Lumber Company warehouse building next to the siphon bridge on River Street is one of the oldest buildings in the city. It dates back to the 1880’s and originally housed a laundry.  Now however, the building must either be torn down or moved to make way for the highly anticipated extended boardwalk project along the Manistique River. 

     The historical society plans to move the venerable structure to its property on the corner of Deer Street and Weston Avenue. Grant funding will be sought to renovate the building as needed to safely display historical artifacts and exhibits related to the history of Schoolcraft County. The former laundry building will be connected with the current garage and archive building already on the site. The latter will house records related to historical and genealogical research, and will be open to the public by appointment.

Granite Tiles

    The historical society is currently offering memorial granite tiles that will be placed along the outside wall of the museum building as a permanent memorial for yourself, your business, your ancestors or your ancestors’ business. These can be purchased for $375.00 for a 12 x 12-inch tile or $750.00 for a 12 x 24-inch tile. Art work is an extra $200.

SCHS Tile Form – LB 

Lifetime Memberships

     The historical society is currently offering lifetime memberships for $200.00 per person, with all proceeds going toward the museum project.  The lifetime membership in the SCHS will entitle the bearer to receive an on-line newsletter highlighting historical information and upcoming events of interest; a 10 percent discount on all items purchased from the historical society as well as a free cup of coffee from the “The Grind” on your birthday.  In addition, your name will be included on the “About Us” section of our website as a supporter of the historical society.

     To purchase a life membership, send your request along with a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a check made out the Schoolcraft County Historical Society to the historical society at P.O. Box 284, Manistique, Michigan 49854. Please include your email address and contact information to receive your monthly newsletter. You may also purchase your life membership safely through PayPal by using the “Donate” button at the top of the page. Once you do so, we will email you requesting an address where we can send your life membership card.

New Lifetime Memberships

     The following people have supported the Historical Society’s “New Museum Fund Drive” by purchasing a lifetime membership:

The laundry building in the 1880’s when a wooden bridge spanned the river.

  1. James & Barbara Weber
  2. Mike Lampen
  3. Susan Primellas
  4. Linda Weber
  5. Angus Wright
  6. Louise Berger Massey
  7. Linda Webb
  8. Ellen Derber
  9. Molly Hoholik
  10. Melissa Bradford
  11. Arthur Souter
  12. Putvin Drug Store
  13. Paula Olsen
  14. Sherryl Faltum
  15. Trish Forstner-Cayia
  16. Paul’s Plumbing  and Appliance
  17. Roger Pashak
  18. Marla Gearhart
  19. Donna Atwater Penny
  20. Gregory Mulligan
  21. Alan & Julie Barr
  22. Carla Burley
  23. Bruce & Judi Behrens
  24. Jo Anne Wood
  25. Kevin T. Smith
  26. Virginia Clairmont
  27. Lee and Jan Ekblad
  28. Kristie Swanson
  29. James Halsey Cowman
  30. Greg Weber
  31. Gerald (Jerry) Gray
  32. Nicki Acker
  33. Mark McCune
  34. Rita Walsh
  35. John (Nick) Modders
  36. William Boyle
  37. Marsha Lunnon
  38. Kimberly Cochran
  39. Janice Rozich
  40. Jacqueline K. Bruce
  41. Lynn M. Emerick
  42. Kopecky Well Drilling Inc.
  43. Jerry & Suzette Mattson
  44. Thomas Carlson
  45. Adela Backiel & Bill Banzhaf
  46. Greg & Janet Stoll
  47. Ellen Plackowski
  48. Karen Larson Derwin
  49. Anne Kaiser
  50. Lisa Busch
  51. Robert V. Cayia
  52. Lawrence Curran
  53. Aaron Bouschor
  54. Chris Holmes
  55. Stephanie Thompson
  56. Greg Main
  57. Susan Atwater Thornton
  58. Abbey Wood
  59. William Shust
  60. William Hentschell
  61. Darrell & Carol Dixson
  62. Robert Carowitz
  63. Brenda Osterhout
  64. Melissa White
  65. Cynthia Weiss
  66. Nila Haug
  67. Nick Hoholik
  68. Kay Jarski
  69. Sherri Krause
  70. Judy Slingsby
  71. Portraits Plus

Memorial Donations

  1. Albert Nich Memorial
  2. Patrick J. McNamara Memorial
  3. Randy and Dory Garrison Memorial