Location
Benzonia, MI
Original Construction
1887
Construction Cost
$393,000
Completion Date
2000
State Register of Historic Places

Built initially as the Benzonia Congregation Church, the design for the Benzie Area Historical Museum was simple yet elegantly detailed in the Queen Anne style of the day. Elements such as the bell tower, gable end brackets, and siding details attest to its craftsmanship.

In 1912, a large addition was added to the west side of the building. 57 years later, the Benzonia County Historical Museum was founded and transformed the building into a repository for artifacts of local history.  In 1987, following a devastating fire, the original building and addition were carefully restored to their original appearance.

Benzie County is a resort area on Lake Michigan, in the northern lower peninsula of the state. Its best-known citizens are Bruce Catton, the historian and author and Gwen Frostic, printmaker and artist. Ms. Frostic’s renown is international; the local museum chose to honor her with a permanent collection of her work and addition in her name.

Beginning with an overall assessment of the building, followed by a Master Plan, SmithGroup designed the 3,200 square foot addition to provide a new main entrance for the museum, barrier-free access to the entire building using a lift, and expanded exhibit space, supporting the Gwen Frostic Gallery in its own, special hall. The design of this latest addition continues many of the design elements of the original building: horizontal trim boards, combined horizontal and vertical siding, and gable brackets. A large porch was also added to provide a place for gatherings and receptions.