Today we’d like to introduce you to Angie Morthland.
Hi Angie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Mackinaw Area Historical Society Est. July 10, 1996
~~Timeline In Progress Draft~~(dates are approximate via verbal memories and printed information researched)
1996-1997 President Robert John “R. J.” Planisek*
1996 The Mackinaw Area Historical Society (MAHS) began with a dream followed by a meeting on July 10, 1996, which was described in the minutes as “an informal meeting of people in Mackinaw City who are interested in starting a Historical Society.” From that simple beginning, MAHS was born.
1996: The “Articles of Incorporation” were filed by August 21 of the same year. Shortly thereafter the Internal Revenue Service granted tax exempt status to the fledgling organization.
1997 Monthly meetings at the library at 7:30 with a guest speaker.
1998-1999 President Kenneth “Ken” Teysen*
1998 Monthly meetings at the library at 7:30 with a guest speaker, meetings for future programs
1999 Monthly meetings at the library at 7:30 with a guest speaker, meeting for future projects
2000-2003 President Dorothy Phillips Krueger
2000 Monthly meetings at the library at 7:30 with a guest speaker, meeting for future projects
2001: January 22, through the tireless efforts of officials from the Village of Mackinaw City, Emmet County and MAHS, a forty-three acre parcel of land previously owned by the McCormick Foundation and later by Emmet County was transferred to the Village of Mackinaw City for the express purpose of constructing Heritage Village as a partnership between Mackinaw City and MAHS.The partnership decided that everything in the village – the buildings, the artifacts, the costumes, the history and stories – would strictly fall within the period between 1880 and 1917
2002
2004-2007 President Kurtis “Kurt” Grebe*
2004: First Cabin Fever Dinner held at Audie’s Restaurant
Artifact Building was constructed
Historic Quilt was made by local ladies of many historic sites
2005: 1890 Pest House originally southwest corner of Lakeside Cemetery Grants from the state, Shepler and SACF
Freedom School is moved from south of Mackinaw City
1st. Historic Festival , annual event occurring the First Fri/Sat of Aug
Baseball Field established so games can be played at the festival
Ice tower Raffle – village hall ??? Bridge tower Raffle??? Our Big Raffle?
60 Sugar Maple trees were planted along Central Ave entrance, and throughout the inner village grounds, in memory of.
2007: Tar-paper Shack school renovated Historic covered modern porta privies School Group visits start
2008-2009 President Raymond “Ray” Roth
2008: Road through the village Nature Trail Ticketbooth Case Knife Event Tractor Event
April Saw was acquired from Corp of Engineers in Sault Ste. Marie,(Soo Locks)John Demmester donated the cost Sawmill Building built by Greg Harwick
Detweiler Log Home moved and set on new foundation
2009: Community Garden, renamed 2020 “Victory Garden” SACF Grant Mary Anderson Diary Loghome Work
DTE Grant for trees near Darrow Property Picnic Tables and Benches Parking Lot
2010-2012 President William “Bill” Marvin
2010: 05/01/2010 Oncell audio tour program around the village New Logo
Summer Pavilion was built Central Entrance
Heritage Chapel moved from Brutus area to Heritage Village
Start of Stimpson Home
2011: $1000 shepler grant for pest house
$1000 shepler grant for road signs
2012: Kids Garden Program plowing of the fields
First Annual Peppler Footrace
Handicap entrance for the chapel is built.
October 27, first Fright Night
2013-2015 President Susan “Susie” Safford
2013: Fall Chapel was re-consecrated as a Christian non-denominational
Stimpson Home completed??
Orchard planted
May, MAHS display at Pellston Regional Airport – King Strang
July. Man in the moon display for HV
2014: The Mackinaw Area Historical Society was given the 99 acres of land by Virginia May of Utah (and of the Chamberlain family). Mrs. May visited the MAHS website and Heritage Village, in 2014, and was impressed. Shortly after, she generously approached MAHS with the offer.
Detwiler home is moved from Brutus area
1922 White Model 15 pick up donated by William Morris
Birch Bark WigWam?
Discovery Camp
Nature Center building is donated to village
Addition to the Artifacts Building to house it was built
2015: Plank House is moved from Cheboygan Road Scholar Programs at the village
2016-2017 President Catherine “Cathy” Freebairn
2016 The Medicine Wheel is built and planted
2017 Historic Festival moved to the last Saturday in July
2018-2019 President Sandra “Sandy” Planisek
2019: The Art Trail established on the Nature Trail
Self Guided Tour signs were established for each building or site
Chapel leaks repaired
2020-2023 President Lawrence “Larry” Flynn
2020: The May Woods trails were mapped, blazed, groomed, tagged and labeled
9 new silver maple trees were planted around the village, DNR grant
New roofs on Detwiler and Freedom School, Artifacts building roof repaired
(Enbridge grants) Also paid for May Woods signs.
2021: Received a grant for handicapped ramp on Detweiler House(not done) Chapel entrance repainted, riding Lawn Mower purchased for trails and Lecture series.
2022: Icehouse moved from Carp Lake, General Store renovated, enlarged, new ceiling and display, lecture series, Monarch Butterfly Waystation
2023-2024 President Sandra “Sandy” Planisek
2023: Icehouse Painted and new display, Waganogan constructed in the Annanisanbe Area (DAR Grant), new trail created in May Woods, cellar doors at Stimpson house reconstructed, DTE tree grant, 5 pines planted at west entrance,
2024: 20th Year of Heritage Village, lecture series (local businesses), zero turn riding lawn mower purchased, leak by cross on chapel fixed, two cedar family swings added, two playground swings added, 220 plug added at pavilion, ribbon cutting of the General Store, Sawmill running, Mackinaw Woman’s Club grant to pave walk to General Store, Point Nipagon donated artifacts, ( mostly tools), Keep Michigan Beautiful President’s Award, Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce Organization of the Year Award, Artifacts Building restained, wood stove moved from school into chapel, new stove in school, New Tip of the Mitt Trail is announced (May Woods is on the trail) Grandmother Drummers and Mackinaw City Area Art Council partnership, Little Traverse Bay Conservatorie partnership, website moved to Square Space and updated,
2025-current Present Angie Morthland
2025: l2025: lecture series (local business and sites)
concert pads poured:( for hit and miss engine, chapel entrance, train depot)
10 year Anniversary of the Medicine Wheel, ribbon cutting in honor of Wiginogan and Annishinabe Area, added artwork to the plank house, 4 Lilac bushes to the area
General Store, stocked and items sold for suggested donations
Children’s Toy Box
Community Piano for visitors to play
Sunday music provided by MCAAC
Wednesday music and teachings Grandmother Moon Drummers
2 vintage baseball games
sawmill sides opened
Tractor Show Saturday in June.
Portable vintage bike art
Bird Nest building and eagle nest created
20th Annual Historic Festival
Spring and Fall school groups
added artwork to the Art Trail
continued trail maintenance in May Woods, Tip of the Mitt Trail added to the series of city trails.
Freedom School chimney repaired
Pavilion electrical system repaired
5 young Red Oaks planted
New numbers placed on entrance trees
Large and small donations, clothing, train benches, small buggy, train coupler, Earthheap Toilet and a seasoned buckboard
DNR license to display birds nest approved for three years
Grant for new children’s activity book from MWC
Updated Brochure, Website, Facebook and Instagram
2 cedar bike racks
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
As we journey on through preservation and education of local history the need for volunteers and funds to support programing hs been our ongoing challenge.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Besides supporting our lecture series and collection of area history stories and artifacts, we manage Heritage Village as a partnership with the Village of Mackinaw City, In one part of the park we have an Art Nature Trail too! It is collaborative artistic trail with the Mackinaw City Area Art Council. May Woods Nature Trails is 100 acres series of moderate trails, this was a gift from the May family. This amazing hidden gem destination park is just 2 miles west of Mackinaw City. If you visit the area, it is an experience threefold; historical circle walk filled with buildings and displays about the 1880-1917 era, the art trail is filled with eye catching items as you wander through the whimsical path leading to a peaceful meadow, and finally hiking through the interconnected trails of May Woods. Filled with solitude and a thriving natural growth. Such an amazing place to visit year round, sunrise to sunset. We have a Nature Center and restrooms available. Donations of funds, volunteer hours and inkind sustenance the facilities and programs. Plans for new exhibits, buildings, art pieces, programs and trail improvements are ongoing!
What were you like growing up?
Most of our volunteers are educators and retired business people who come to the area or grew up in the area and find preservation of local history is worth investing in. Volunteer share their time, talents and funds to continue the legacy of those who came before. I am a retired teacher.
Pricing:
- No cost to visit
- Donations of all kinds welcomed
- Local artifacts and pictures are accepted
- Oral history collection projects are available
- Look on the website and social media for more information
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Mackinawhistory.org
- Instagram: Maywoodsnaturetrail
- Facebook: Mackinaw Area Historical Society
- Youtube: Mackinaw City and Emmet County Walking Tour
- Other: Heritage Village at Mackinaw
