2026 Calendar of Events
Puzzle Competition
🧩 Co-Hosts: Leland Cultural District, Fishtown Preservation Society, Leelanau Historical Society, Leland Township Library, and the Old Art Building.
🗓️ Date: Saturday, February 21st, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
📍 Location: Old Art Building | 111 Main St. Leland, MI 49654
Calling all puzzlers! Teams of 2-3 people will complete to finish a 500-piece puzzle in 3 hours or less. A prize will be awarded to the fastest team.
Registration is REQUIRED: https://forms.gle/orK5xvai6xS8r5k9A
Individuals needing a team are encouraged to register and we’ll help find them a team. With questions or to request accommodations, please contact Chelsea at programs@lelandlibrary.org or call the Leland Library.
Trivia Night 2026
Co-Hosts: Leland Cultural District, Fishtown Preservation Society, Leelanau Historical Society, Leland Township Library, and the Old Art Building.
🗓️ Date: Tuesday, March 24th, 7:00 PM
📍 Location: Old Art Building | 111 Main St. Leland, MI 49654
Please sign up here with the name of your team and the names of each team member. Up to 6 players per team. Small bites and drinks will be available.
PAST 2026 EVENTS
Meet Me at the Loaf: A Celebration of Sugar Loaf in Stories
Presented by: Leelanau Historical Society & Here:Say Storytelling
📅 Date & Time: Thursday, January 29, 2026
🕠 Doors Open: 5:30 PM – reconnect with old colleagues, friends, and neighbors
🎤 Show Starts: 6:30 PM
📍 Location: Solon Township Hall | 9191 S Kasson St, Cedar, MI 49621
🎟️ Tickets: $20 per person – Available Online or at the Museum Gift Shop.
Enjoy snacks, beer by Loco Boys Brewing Co., and historical displays by the Leelanau Historical Society, plus door prizes from Boyne Mountain, Crystal Mountain and more!
Join us for an unforgettable evening of true storytelling that celebrates the wild, warm, and wonderful legacy of Sugar Loaf Mountain. Pre-selected storytellers will take the stage to share first-person tales that capture the spirit of “The Loaf”.
Whether you’re a former Sugar Loafer, employee, local resident, or simply someone curious about the history of this beloved hill, Meet Me at the Loaf invites everyone to relive memories, discover new stories, and renew your appreciation for a place that continues to inspire. Sugar Loaf may have changed over time, but its legacy shines on through the voices of those who remember, and those just discovering it.
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Meet the Storytellers
Storytellers include Jacob Wheeler, the publisher of the Glen Arbor Sun and a journalist who covered the many plot twists of Sugar Loaf over the years; Chad Jordan – who built the first snowboard park at Sugar Loaf and now works for the Leelanau Conservancy; and Al Jankowski – a member of the Funky Uncle band, who grew up down the road from Sugar Loaf and later became a working musician at the resort. Plus, we will be sharing some bonus Sugar Loaf memories.
PAST 2025 EVENTS
Leland Hot Cocoa Crawl | Saturday, December 6 • 10–4 PM
Warm up in Leland during our free Hot Cocoa Crawl! Enjoy a fun day of holiday shopping while sampling delicious hot cocoa at participating businesses throughout town.
Start your day at the Old Art Building to explore the Holiday Market and pick up your Cocoa Crawl map. It’s a festive outing for all ages!
The Leelanau Historical Society Museum will offer free admission all day, plus special gift shop sales—perfect for holiday gifting.
Indigenous People’s Day Event
Monday, October 13, 2025
12:30 – 4:00 PM
Leland Cultural Campus | E. Cedar St. Leland, MI
Hosted in collaboration with the Leland Township Library, Old Art Building, Fishtown Preservation Society, Leelanau Historical Society Museum, Leelanau Conservancy, Friends of the Leland Township Library.
This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, join the Leland Cultural Campus partner organizations for an afternoon of culture, and community at the Old Art Building. Free event, open to the public.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day, nationally observed on the second Monday in October, honors Native American histories and cultures and allows an opportunity for learning and to challenge the traditional narrative that often overlooks Indigenous suffering and contributions.
Here, in Leland, the rivers and shorelines are not simply beautiful backdrops-they are part of the land’s story, deeply significant for local Anishinaabeg communities. This land once sustained communities: providing fish, plants, shelter, trade routes, and places for council and ceremony. Hosting this event along the Leland River is an act of remembering those connections and of recognizing the ongoing relationship between people and place.
The day will kick off at 12:30 p.m. with the Dusty Bear Singers and tribal community dancers dressed in traditional regalia on the front lawn of the Old Art Building. Please dress for the weather as this is an outdoor activity. At 2:00pm inside the Old Art Building, Moderator Mark Wilson will host a panel discussion exploring “Anishinaabeg Way of Life: Past, Present, and Future” followed by a screening of a short film about the Kchi Wiikwedong Anishinaabe History Project’s Anishinaabe Cultural Marker Project (12 minute run time).
Other features of the day will include free admission to the Leelanau Historical Society’s Traditional Anishinaabek Arts Room, which houses over two hundred regionally crafted sweetgrass, birch bark, and quillwork artifacts. Visit the Kchi Wiikwedong Anishinaabe History Project’s cultural marker outside the Munnecke Room. Recommended Indigenous books curated by Leland Township Public Library. Indigenous cuisine will also be made available to the public by Raphael Foods of Peshawbestown, underwritten by the Friends of the Leland Township Library.
Donations are welcome. Questions, please contact the Leelanau Historical Society: info@leelanauhistory.org | 231-256-7475.
LHS Annual Meeting of the Membership
Sunday, October 5, 2025 | 2:00 PM
Camp Kohahna | 1653 S Port Oneida Rd, Maple City, MI 49664
The Leelanau Historical Society invites members, friends, and all who share an interest in preserving our region’s history to attend this public meeting and history program.
Join us at this historic Leelanau location. Program by Camp Director Weldon Rutledge and historian Andrew White. Come hear about the history of Camp Leelanau/Kohahna and its predecessor, Camp Innisfree.
History Afloat
A Sunset History Cruise on Lake Michigan
August 21 | 2025 | 6:00 -8:00PM
Aboard the Mishe-Mokwa | Departing from the Leland Harbor | 207 W River St, Leland, MI 49654
Join the Leelanau Historical Society and Manitou Transit for an unforgettable summer evening on the water. As the sun sets over Lake Michigan, we’ll cruise south along the Leelanau shoreline—passing iconic points of interest and historic landmarks between Leland and Good Harbor Bay.
For generations, Manitou Transit has been a vital thread in Leelanau’s maritime story—connecting the mainland to the Manitou Islands and carrying locals, visitors, freight across Lake Michigan. During the cruise, we’ll acknowledge this enduring family-run operation, which has been serving the community for over 100 years. As we travel south along the coast, LHS staff will also share brief stories and insights at key points of interest—from shipwrecks to fishing grounds, maritime life, and historic landmarks—offering a deeper sense of place while still allowing time to relax and soak in the evening beauty.
🌊 Event Details
- Tickets: $75 General Public | $65 LHS Members
- Location: Boarding at Manitou Transit Dock | 207 W River St, Leland, MI 49654
- Boat: Mishe-Mokwa (operated by Manitou Transit)
- Time: Boarding begins at 6:00 PM | 6:30 PM departure | Returns by 8:00 PM
- Extras: Onboard cash bar, open deck seating, and plenty of views
This special event supports the ongoing mission of the Leelanau Historical Society to preserve and share the stories of our peninsula. Be sure to bring a light jacket for that evening lake breeze!
Advance ticket purchase is required—space aboard the Mishe-Mokwa is limited and this event is expected to sell out quickly. Please note: All reservations are final, and cancellations or refunds will only be issued in the event of inclement weather as determined by the boat captain.
SOLD OUT
20th Annual Golfathon Fundraiser
in Support of Leelanau Historical Scoiety
Donors are invited to a Reception at the Leland Lodge to celebrate Mark & Ross
September 2, 2025 | 5:00 -7:00PM
Learn More & Donate!
The Search for Anna & Levi: A Lost History of Black Homesteaders in Leelanau County
Documentary Film
Wednesday August 27 | 7:00 PM
Location: The State Theatre | 235 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49684
The Leelanau Historical Society proudly presents The Search for Anna & Levi: A Lost History of Black Homesteaders in Leelanau County. This powerful documentary brings to light an overlooked chapter of local history and the broader story of African American settlement in the Midwest. After its sold-out preview screening in February, the film earned enthusiastic praise from the audience for its emotional depth and historical insight.
Directed by Joe VanderMeulen, the documentary features interviews with descendants, regional historians, and local experts, offering a rich, personal view of the legacy left by Black homesteaders in Leelanau County. The site of the Anna and Levi Johnson homestead is located in what is now part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
“Perfect Omena Day!” Selections from the Summer Diaries of Rebecca L. Richmond, 1907-1920.
Author Presentation & Book Signing with M. Christine Byron
August 14 | 4:00PM
📍 Location: Munnecke Room | 203 E. Cedar St. Leland, MI
Join us for a presentation by historian and author M. Christine Byron as she presents her new book “Perfect Omena Day!” Selections from the Summer Diaries of Rebecca L. Richmond, 1907-1920”. Rebecca Richmond’s diaries present a first-hand account of cottage life in Leelanau County from 1907-1920 as she spent summers in Omena. The diary coincides with the golden age of postcards which will be used to illustrate her various entries, along with photos, maps and other ephemera.–
The presentation will be followed by a book signing for Byron’s newly published selections from the diaries, produced through the 2024 Leelanau Press Research Fellowship.
About the Presenter:
Christine Byron retired from her position as the Local Historical Collections librarian for the Grand Rapids Public Library. In her work, she became aware of the Richmond Family Papers Collection in the library’s archives and became fascinated with Rebecca Richmond’s diaries. With the 2024 Leelanau Press Research Fellowship from the Leelanau Historical Museum, Byron is able to share a selection of Miss Richmond’s diaries in book form.
Christine and her husband, Tom Wilson, have written five award-winning books in their “Vintage Views” series on Michigan history. Their sixth book, Historic Leelanau: Recognized Sites and Places of Historical Significance was a fundraiser for the Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society.
Picnic Concert Series
Friend-raisers for the Leelanau County Poor Farm Barn
📍 Location: 1110 West Burdickville Road, Maple City, MI 49664
Brought to you by the Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society,
In partnership with the Leelanau Historical Society.
Picnic at the barn! Join the Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society (LCPS) on the grass and enjoy some great music by professional musicians. Bring your lawn chairs or blanket and whatever you’d like to eat and drink. Sit under the shade canopies or sit in the sun and dance when the music moves you! Sing along! Enjoy! (No glass please!)
Come make new friends who support the rehabilitaiton and public use of the old Leelanau County Poor Farm Barn. Help us put this Historic Community treasure to good use!
Free Admission! The Empire Area Community Center’s Emergency Fund will be on-hand to accept donations to help people in need throughout our region.
Wednesday
July 30
July 30
Country and Folk Music by
Rita Hosking & Sean Fader and Andre Villoch
5-7:30 pm
Wednesday
August 6
August 6
Classic Rock & New Wave Music by
Go North!
5-7:30 pm
Wednesday
August 13
August 13
Contemporary orchestral & Big Band Music by
The Brass Quintet and
TC Sings! – A Cappela Singers
5-7:30 pm
A food truck will be on site selling tacos and dessert cakes. Enjoy classic yard games as well. Visit the Row-by-row garden (row-by-row.org), as well as register on-site for a guided tour of the Poor Farm Barn.
Annual Port Oneida Fair
August 8 & 9, 2025 | 10:00 – 4:00PM
Hosted by the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in partnership with Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear.
📍 Location: Port Oneida Rural Historic District, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park
Step back in time at the Port Oneida Fair and experience life as it was in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Imagine the life of Euro-American immigrants as you help bale hay or watch a broom-maker at work. Learn about spinning, basket weaving, soap making, butter making, candle dipping, and fur trapping. Listen as park rangers and local historians share the area’s history. Watch as teams of oxen haul hay and artists and craftsmen demonstrate their skills.
The fair is held at five of the historic farmsteads in Port Oneida. Each farm has a variety of artists, crafts, food, and activities for visitors. Join the Leelanau Historical Society at the Kelderhouse Farm Site. Our 1931 Ford Model A will be present detailing history of early road’s of the region as well as early agriculture history.
Clues, Tidbits and Surprises in Researching Leelanau History
Presented by Kim Kelderhouse, LHS Executive Director
📅 Thursday, July 24, 2025 | 4:00 PM
📍 Leelanau Historical Society Museum | 203 E. Cedar St. Leland | Munnecke Room
🎟️ Free Event – Limited seating – RSVP to info@leelanauhistory.org
Join us in the Munnecke Room for a fascinating and informal presentation by Kim Kelderhouse, Executive Director of the Leelanau Historical Society and an experienced local historian. Kim will share a variety of intriguing discoveries, favorite historical anecdotes, and odd and wonderful facts unearthed during both recent research efforts and years of exploring Leelanau County’s rich and complex history.
From surprising connections and archival curiosities to moments of historical detective work, this presentation offers an inside look at how local history is uncovered and understood.
🔍 Take a Behind-the-Scenes Tour
After the talk, enjoy a special behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum, Archives, and Research Center with LHS staff. Get a rare look at the collections and spaces where historical materials are preserved, cataloged, and made accessible to the public.
Maple Grove (Keswick) Cemetery Restoration Workshop
This 3 day workshop is being held to rehabilitate and preserve the gravestones at the Maple Grove (Keswick) Cemetery in Bingham Township as well as clear/prune vegetation obscuring gravestones. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome, and hands-on training will be provided.
Friday June 20, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday June 21, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday June 22, 2025 | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Registration is required – Free workshop hosted by the Leelanau Historical Society and Bingham Township
Location: 2971 S. Center Highway, Suttons Bay, MI 49682 (Bingham Township)
Please join us for at least one day, if not all three!
The Leelanau Historical Society recognizes Maple Grove Cemetery as the final resting place of many early settlers and their families—an essential part of Leelanau County’s heritage. Preserving its headstones honors these lives, strengthens family ties, and safeguards historical records for future generations. This effort also brings the community together, fostering a shared commitment to remembering the past and building a stronger sense of place.
The workshop will be led by Ron Kelderhouse, who has led similar workshops for Bingham Township and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. He has also worked on the East Leland Cemetery, Glen Arbor Township Cemetery, Cleveland Township Cemetery, Kasson Township, and Kelderhouse Cemetery (Cleveland Township).
Tools, cleaning agent, and water for cleaning headstones will be provided.
(Previous cemetery workshop attendees are welcome to bring their own headstone cleaning kits, if desired!)
Participates are encouraged to bring the following tools:
- Gloves
- Kneeling pad
- Chair
- Sunhat/lotion
- If you’re interested in pruning vegetation: Shears/Rake/Shovel
Please bring your own lunch, refillable water bottle and a camp chair. Drinking water and pre-packaged snacks will be provided. A porta-potty will be on-site. We will have tents onsite as well for rain/shade protection.
If severe weather is predicted, we will communicate schedule changes via email and phone.
Please register by filling out the form below.
Questions? Info@LeelanauHistory.org | (231) 256-7475
Membership Appreciation Party
June 17, 2025 | 5-7pm
Leland, MI
*Renew or become a member Today!
The Search for Anna & Levi: A Lost History of Black Homesteaders in Leelanau County
Documentary Film Premiere
Saturday, May 31 | 4:00 PM (Doors open at 3:15 PM)
Location: Leland Public School Performing Arts Center, 200 N Grand Ave, Leland, MI
This event is free and open to the public.
Seating is first-come, first-served; space is limited.
The Leelanau Historical Society proudly presents The Search for Anna & Levi: A Lost History of Black Homesteaders in Leelanau County. This powerful documentary brings to light an overlooked chapter of local history and the broader story of African American settlement in the Midwest. After its sold-out preview screening in February, the film earned enthusiastic praise from the audience for its emotional depth and historical insight.
Directed by Joe VanderMeulen, the documentary features interviews with descendants, regional historians, and local experts, offering a rich, personal view of the legacy left by Black homesteaders in Leelanau County. The site of the Anna and Levi Johnson homestead is located in what is now part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
View The Trailer: https://youtu.be/yKmO0Jj1kH0
The Inspiration Behind the Project
The film was inspired by the research of Kevin Brooks, recipient of the 2023 Leelanau Press Research Fellowship. While exploring his own family’s Leelanau roots, Kevin discovered a connection to the Johnson family—Anna and Levi Johnson, early African American settlers in the region. What began as a personal investigation evolved into a collaborative research effort that uncovered a long-forgotten history and reconnected today’s descendants with their powerful heritage.
Historic Preservation: Success and Future Potential at the Leelanau County Poor Farm
Film Screening
Wednesday, May 14 | 4:00 PM (Doors open at 3:30 PM)
Location: The Old Art Building, Leland, MI
Presented by: Leelanau Historical Society & Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society
Celebrate National Preservation Month with a special screening of Saving the Barn – The Leelanau County Poor Farm, a documentary that brings to life a little-known but important chapter of local history.
The program will begin with remarks from Steve Stier, President of the Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society, who will share insights on the ongoing efforts to preserve the Poor Farm barn and the broader importance of saving historic places. Kim Kelderhouse, Executive Director of the Leelanau Historical Society, will speak about the museum and archives’ role in protecting and interpreting the county’s architectural and cultural heritage.
The film, described by filmmaker Joe VanderMeulen as one that “brings to life a little-known part of Leelanau County’s history … a history shared by nearly every other county in Michigan,” combines historian interviews, local elder recollections, and historical imagery to reconstruct the story of the Poor Farm. Founded around 1901, the Poor Farm provided compassionate care and rehabilitation for those in need for many decades.
Following the screening, enjoy a Q&A session and an opportunity to connect with representatives from both LHS and LCHPS.
This event is free and open to the public.
Wrecks & Rescues of the Manitou Passage
April 24, 2025 | 7:00PM
Hosted by the Grand Traverse Lighthouse
Presented by Kim Kelderhouse
Zoom Virtual Program: Registration CLOSED
As part of the Grand Traverse Lighthouse’s 2025 Winter Lecture Series, Kim Kelderhouse will be presenting firsthand accounts of shipwrecks of the Manitou Passage. Through a dynamic mix of photos, videos, poetry, and rescue narratives, she will transport you back to an era when maritime travel was the primary means of transit to Northern Michigan.
This engaging program offers a powerful glimpse into the perils of Great Lakes navigation and the enduring mysteries of the shipwrecks resting beneath Lake Michigan’s waters. For those fascinated by history, adventure, and the resilience of early sailors, this is an event not to be missed!
Kim Kelderhouse is the Executive Director of the Leelanau Historical Society and has spent over a decade preserving and sharing the region’s rich maritime heritage. She will also share personal anecdotes and photos from her experiences on North and South Manitou Islands, offering a unique and deeply informed perspective on this storied passage.
Truth and Illusion: The Unveiling of Mrs. Maro
March 20th, 2025 | 7:00PM
Presented by Sara Hartley
Zoom Virtual Program: Pre-Register Here
This presentation will focus on what is known, and was often assumed about one of Leland’s early trailblazers. Though she was a founder of what is now the Old Art Building, the proprietor of the once-popular Blue Lantern Tea Room, and a founding member of many women’s organizations and foundations, Mrs. Maro is sometimes presented as simply “the wife of Edward Maro, Prince of Magic.” Certainly the magician’s life was full of promise and drama but this presentation will reveal how Allie Mae Maro quietly built a legacy on her own terms.
Sara Hartley is an actor, musician, and writer living in Long Lake Township. While working as the Program Director for the Old Art Building, Sara was captured by the story of Allie Mae Maro and continues to follow each thread of her history to discover more about the extraordinary times she lived in. Sara is currently working on a theatrical rendering of these facts and looks forward to debuting the work in 2026. Sara holds a BA in Music from Alma College and an MFA in Creative NonFiction Writing from Vermont College of Fine Art. Very special thanks are owed to the Old Art Building, Mary Stewart, and Anne-Marie Oomen for their work and encouragement of this project.
Leland Cultural Campus Trivia Night!
Tuesday, March 18th, 2025 | 7:00PM
Presented by the Old Art Building, Leelanau Historical Society, Leland Township Library and Fishtown Preservation Society.
Location: The Old Art Building 111 S. Main St. Leland, MI
Think you know Leelanau? Come prove it at our Trivia Night!
Register Your Team: Here
Join the Leland Cultural Campus for a night of trivia at the Old Art Building! This is a free event but space is limited, so Please Register Your Team (max 6 people/team). We will have snacks and wine as well prizes for the winning team!
Register Your Team: Here
Presented by the Old Art Building, Leelanau Historical Society, Leland Township Library and Fishtown Preservation Society.
Maple Syrup Workshop
February 27th, 2025 | 5:30-7:30pm
Location: Leelanau County Government Center | 8527 E Government Center Dr. Suttons Bay, MI
Free Event
Join us and eat pancakes for dinner while learning about the history of Leelanau County’s hardwood forests and maple syrup production. Registration is free. Contact (231) 256-9783 | lcd@leelanau.gov
Presented by Leelanau Conservation District, Leelanau Historical Society, and Leelanau Conservancy.
The Search For Anna & Levi – Documentary Preview Screening
February 23rd, 2025 | 2:00pm
Preview Showing: The The Bay Theatre | 214 N St Joseph St | Suttons Bay, MI 49682
Tickets: Advance Tickets
Run time: 40 minutes, followed by a Q&A Session – A brief opportunity to discuss the film with the sponsor, producer, and key participants. Moderated by the films narrator, Isiah Smith.
Celebrate Black History Month with us by uncovering a story of resilience, courage, and community. The Leelanau Historical Society proudly presents The Search for Anna & Levi: A Lost History of Black Homesteaders in Leelanau County. This powerful documentary sheds light on an untold chapter of our local history and the broader journey of African Americans who settled in the Midwest.
Directed by Joe VanderMeulen, the documentary features interviews with descendants, local historians, and regional experts, providing a heartfelt and comprehensive look at the legacy of Black homesteaders in our region.
A Documentary Premiere will be held on Saturday May 31st, 2025 in collaboration with Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with descendants from the Johnson Family as special guests!
Lake Leelanau Spirit of the Lake Documentary
January 28th, 2025 | 7:00pm
Next Showing: The Alluvion | 414 East 8th Street | Second Floor of the Commongrounds Building, Traverse City, MI, 49686
**Tickets $15 at the door, while seats last**
The Leelanau Historical Society proudly presents “Lake Leelanau, Spirit of the Lake,” a captivating documentary that dives into the history and nostalgia of Lake Leelanau – a cherished body of water in Leelanau County, MI. Produced by the Leelanau Historical Society and directed by Keith Patterson of Manitou Films, this film is a heartfelt tribute to the lake’s enduring legacy. The film is a recipient of a 2024 State History Award from the Historical Society of Michigan. Learn more about this Documentary.