Seven Stops for History Buffs

Explore local culture in Leelanau & Benzie counties

By Rachel Pasche | Jan. 17, 2026

When you’re not in the mood for bundling up and going outside, winter is a great time to learn about local history. We headed to Benzie and Leelanau counties to find the museums, galleries, and other hotspots that tell the tales of days gone by.

BENZIE

Stop #1: Benzie Area Historical Society & Museum
6941 Traverse Ave, Benzonia
With more than 37,000 artifacts, the Benzie Area Historical Museum tells the history of Benzie County since 1869. In addition to the permanent collection, the museum offers several special exhibitions per year and a lecture series. Open Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 11am-4pm or by appointment. benziemuseum.org

Stop #2: Oliver Art Center
132 Coast Guard Rd., Frankfort
The Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts in Frankfort is open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday noon-4pm. Admission to the gallery is always free! In 2011 the organization moved to its current location at the United States Coast Guard Station in Frankfort, offering a unique opportunity to glimpse art and history side-by-side. oliverartcenterfrankfort.org

Honorable Mention: Elberta Labor Heritage Center
Founded in 2021 to preserve Elberta’s history and heritage, this organization is in the process of establishing its permanent home. In 2025, the Elberta Labor Heritage Center & WUWU Community Radio conducted a fundraiser to purchase the property currently occupied by the Elberta Mercantile. In the meantime, interested community members can engage through its ongoing oral history project. elbertalaborheritagecenter.org

LEELANAU

Stop #3: Philip A. Hart Visitor Center
9922 W Front St, Empire
The gateway to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, the visitor center in Empire is THE spot to learn about the park, along with the natural and human history of the area. Grab your park pass there, chat with rangers, and then go explore the dunes! Winter hours are daily 9am-4pm. nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/visitorcenters.htm

Stop #4: Old Art Building, part of the Leelanau Community Cultural Center
111 S Main St, Leland
True to its name, the Old Art Building in Leland is over 100 years old! Now a community gathering place that promotes cultural enrichment, anyone can tap into their creative side through art classes or explore ongoing art and history exhibits. The Old Art Building is also home to the Fishtown Writers’ Circle, which meets monthly. oldartbuilding.com

Stop #5: Leelanau Historical Society Museum, also part of the Leelanau Community Cultural Center
203 E Cedar St, Leland
Visitors to the Leelanau Historical Society Museum can learn about Leelanau County life and maritime history through collections and archives containing more than 20,000 items. Winter hours are Wednesday-Friday 11am-4pm (call ahead in inclement weather). Don’t miss the upcoming storytelling event Meet Me at the Loaf: A Celebration of Sugar Loaf in Stories, Jan. 29, at 6:30pm at Solon Township Hall in Cedar. This ticketed event ($20) celebrates the legacy of Sugar Loaf Mountain. leelanauhistory.org

Stop #6: Grand Traverse Lighthouse
15500 N Lighthouse Point Rd, Northport
Located inside Leelanau State Park, the restored keeper’s dwelling and lighthouse are open seasonally for visitors to learn about life as a lighthouse keeper during the 1920s and 1930s. While the museum is closed in the winter, visitors can still view the exterior of the lighthouse while walking around the park, plus explore the area via snowshoe hikes. The parks service has also offered a winter virtual lecture series on Zoom; check back for 2026 dates. grandtraverselighthouse.com

Stop #7: Omena Historical Society & Museum
5045 N West Bay Shore Dr, Omena
While this museum, perhaps best known for its non-human mayoral race, is only open seasonally, it offers several virtual exhibitions to explore on cold winter days! Though the official re-opening day is June 19, 2026, the museum hosts Community Coffee Hour every Thursday at 10am and Men’s Coffee Hour at 8:30am on Friday mornings. omenahistoricalsociety.org

Check Back in Spring

These local spots are closed for the winter, so be sure to circle back in the spring when they reopen!

Empire Area Museum: This hyper-local museum features a small store and two large floors of exhibits. Typically opens in June.

Maritime Museum: Learn about the early days of life on Lake Michigan at the Sleeping Bear Point U.S. Life-Saving Service Station in Glen Arbor. Typically opens around Memorial Day.

Point Betsie Lighthouse: At this Frankfort lighthouse, you can visit the original 1858 keeper’s residence, plus climb the lighthouse’s stairs. For a once-in-a-lifetime experience, rent the keeper’s quarters! Typically opens mid-May.

Port Oneida Heritage Center: Explore the Charles and Hattie Olsen Farmhouse and barn located within Sleeping Bear Dunes to learn about some of the earliest pioneers in northern Michigan. Typically opens in June.

Pictured: The Philip A. Hart Visitor Center; photo credit NPS