About Us

Old Elk Rapids
Township Hall
Township Hall

(Click on photos for enlargement)

Our Purpose -
The Elk Rapids Area Historical Society, a non-profit organization, assembles, preserves, protects, and exhibits, in the Elk Rapids Area Historical Museum, collections pertaining to the history of the Chain of Lakes Region, the Village of Elk Rapids, its people, and community life.
The Museum Building -
The Elk Rapids Historical Museum is housed on the lower level of the old Elk Rapids Township Hall, located at 401 River Street . Historical Society volunteers operate and maintain the facility.

Designed by Charles H. Peale and built in 1883 near the site where the earliest white settler, Adam Wadsworth had lived, the old Elk Rapids Township Hall has served as a social and political center for over one hundred-twenty years. Largely due to lumbering and related industries, the village of Elk Rapids was the most important economic force in the area.

Located on Grand Traverse Bay, the prosperous community needed a permanent meeting place. Thus this hall was erected and has hosted theatrical, patriotic, school, and township activities.

Architectural Characteristics:
The old Elk Rapids Township Hall is a long narrow building with a mansard roof. It is built of locally fired, yellowish white brick. The building has rounded-arched windows, false buttressing, and three triangular designs in the brick on the front facade. The entry vestibule on the front of the building is an unfortunate recent addition. The hall seats 600 before an ornately enframed stage and a stage curtain painted with advertisements.
Board of Directors -
The Elk Rapids Area Historical Society Board of Directors are all volunteers. They are:

Dan LeBlond	President
Greg Reisig	Vice-President
Marjorie Kinery	Secretary
Adam Schuler	Treasurer
Joani Braun	Trustee
Elaine Glowicki	Trustee
Glenn Neumann	Trustee
Jackie Weber	Trustee

We Are A Member
of the

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