Community Calendar

Step back in time at the 1842 Dougherty Mission House built by Chief Agosa, the Odawa and Ojibwe people and Rev. Peter Dougherty. Explore life from 1842 to 1917 through the house, outbuildings and demonstration garden.

See unusual pure American chestnut trees. Docent led tours Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11am to 4pm. Discover the Mission House that gave Old Mission Peninsula its name.

Tours:
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Admission: $5 adults
(12 and under free)

This historical display started in August and has been extended until September 29, at the Alden District Library. The free display features materials from the Alden Depot Museum (www.aldendepot.com). View during library hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri 9:30-5:00; Tue 9:30-6:00; and Sat 9:30-2:00. Library is located at the Helena Township Community Center: 8751 Helena Road in Alden. (231)331-4318.

When you eat beef, pork, or poultry, you can thank the Holden Family of Almira Township, Benzie County. Perry, the son of Dennison and Helen Wilson Holden, conducted research on corn at Michigan Agricultural College (MAC), earning a Bachelor's and then a Master of Science (M.S.) there. He went on to earn an M.S. in Pedagogy from Michigan State Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University). He taught at MAC, taught science at Benzonia College, and became Superintendent of Benzie County schools. He took a position as Professor of Soil Physics and then Agronomy at the University of Illinois. He famously taught farmers throughout the Midwest, promoting hybrid seed corn for increased yield and vigor. Abundant corn made for greater livestock production.

Presenter: Dr. Roberta Dow

Dr. Roberta Dow was raised in the Holden Family home in Almira Township. She returned to the family farm after a varied career, which included research at the United States Department of Agriculture, serving as the Plant Pathologist of Bermuda, and then Assistant Director of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Parks of Bermuda. She taught at Cameron State University (OK), Christopher Newport College (VA), and Michigan State University. She was the Northern District Agent for the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program at MSU Extension.
She loves living in Benzie Co. and being able to xc ski, downhill ski, kayak, play tennis, swim, fish, and hike regularly. She’s not so sure about her farming.

This presentation is part of the Benzie Area Historical Society’s Benzonia Academy Lecture Series, held on the second Thursday of each month. Admission is by donation, with a recommended $5 donation.

To learn more about the September 10th lecture, visit the Benzie Area Historical Society’s website, benziemuseum.org, Instagram, or Facebook page; call the Museum at (231) 882-5539; or email info@benziemuseum.org.

Step back in time at the 1842 Dougherty Mission House built by Chief Agosa, the Odawa and Ojibwe people and Rev. Peter Dougherty. Explore life from 1842 to 1917 through the house, outbuildings and demonstration garden.

See unusual pure American chestnut trees. Docent led tours Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11am to 4pm. Discover the Mission House that gave Old Mission Peninsula its name.

Tours:
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Admission: $5 adults
(12 and under free)

Cost: FREE
Audience: All ages, abilities, and interests

🎨🦉🔬 Discover, Explore, Create

Join us every second Saturday for a FREE afternoon of hands-on discovery! Families are invited to enjoy interactive experiences in science, history, and art while exploring the museum’s indoor and outdoor exhibits—including live animals and nature displays.

What to Expect:

🧪 Engaging science, history & art activities
🐍 Animal encounters & museum exploration
🌳 Outdoor exhibits to spark curiosity
🧩 Opportunities for problem-solving & creative thinking
🧠 A space to build critical thinking skills and lifelong learning

Please note: Free Second Saturdays are designed for quality family time. We kindly ask that no large groups attend.

Please Pre-register by "purchasing" a free ticket. This helps us prepare for number of people attending, THANK YOU!

This historical display started in August and has been extended until September 29, at the Alden District Library. The free display features materials from the Alden Depot Museum (www.aldendepot.com). View during library hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri 9:30-5:00; Tue 9:30-6:00; and Sat 9:30-2:00. Library is located at the Helena Township Community Center: 8751 Helena Road in Alden. (231)331-4318.

Step back in time at the 1842 Dougherty Mission House built by Chief Agosa, the Odawa and Ojibwe people and Rev. Peter Dougherty. Explore life from 1842 to 1917 through the house, outbuildings and demonstration garden.

See unusual pure American chestnut trees. Docent led tours Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11am to 4pm. Discover the Mission House that gave Old Mission Peninsula its name.

Tours:
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Admission: $5 adults
(12 and under free)

This historical display started in August and has been extended until September 29, at the Alden District Library. The free display features materials from the Alden Depot Museum (www.aldendepot.com). View during library hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri 9:30-5:00; Tue 9:30-6:00; and Sat 9:30-2:00. Library is located at the Helena Township Community Center: 8751 Helena Road in Alden. (231)331-4318.

Step back in time at the 1842 Dougherty Mission House built by Chief Agosa, the Odawa and Ojibwe people and Rev. Peter Dougherty. Explore life from 1842 to 1917 through the house, outbuildings and demonstration garden.

See unusual pure American chestnut trees. Docent led tours Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11am to 4pm. Discover the Mission House that gave Old Mission Peninsula its name.

Tours:
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Admission: $5 adults
(12 and under free)

This historical display started in August and has been extended until September 29, at the Alden District Library. The free display features materials from the Alden Depot Museum (www.aldendepot.com). View during library hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri 9:30-5:00; Tue 9:30-6:00; and Sat 9:30-2:00. Library is located at the Helena Township Community Center: 8751 Helena Road in Alden. (231)331-4318.