Also, the Mackinaw Area Historical Society offers lively local monthly programs featuring informative presentations on historically significant topics.

We are proud to partner with the following organizations

History

The Mackinaw Area Historical Society (MAHS) began with a dream followed by a meeting on July 22, 1996, described as “an informal meeting of people in Mackinaw City who are interested in starting a Historical Society.” From that simple beginning, MAHS was born. 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.

This determination and “get at it” attitude have been the hallmarks of MAHS in the ensuing 25 years.

In the first years of the 21st century, sitting on a porch overlooking the Straits of Mackinac, a few MAHS members and supporters had another dream: A Heritage Village where the history of the Straits area could come alive! In 2004, 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.