About The Historical Society

The Grand Ledge Area Historical Society formed in 1975 in response to the nation’s bicentennial.  The Historical Society is a nonprofit that is operated by a 12–14-member board of directors whose purpose is to preserve materials and information relating to the history of the Grand Ledge area, to promote a continuing interest in the area’s history, and to perpetuate the spirit of pride in our historical roots.

The Society hosts a variety of events throughout the year to support its mission and goals. These events include regular educational meetings that are open to all community members, the annual Holiday Traditions Tour, and various fund-raisers.

Our History

• 1975 -The Grand Ledge Area Historical Society was formed during the planning for Grand Ledge’ s celebration of the National Bicentennial.
  • The logo for the new society was chosen to represent the Seven Islands Resort of the 1890s. Annual Holiday Home Tour began in December 1975 by the Bicentennial Committee.
• 1976 – The Society published our first book Grand Ledge Remembered.
• 1977 – The Society took over the annual holiday tours in 1977 when the Bicentennial committee disbanded.
• 1984 – Our Museum opened, and we acquired the Opera House. The Opera House Authority was formed in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce to raise funds and plan for the renovation of the Opera House.
• The 1990s – after the new bridge was built, we worked on the restoration and promotion of the Opera House and the ongoing development of the Museum.
• 1995 – The Historical Society won the Eaton County Heritage Award.
• 1996 – The Opera House won the Eaton County Heritage Award
• 1997 – Suzanne Schramski (local historical expert and past president) won the Eaton County Heritage Award.
• 1999 – The GLAHS Museum won the Eaton County Heritage Award.
• 2000s – We partnered again with the Chamber to form Ledge’s Playhouse Restoration Committee to spearhead the work on the historic building.
• 2001 – We also published a new book The 40s, 50s, 60s in Grand Ledge.
• 2003 – Lorabeth Fitzgerald (GLAHS Founding member and 3 time past president) won the Eaton County Heritage Award.
• 2004 – Established a new community Heritage Pride Award.
• 2005 – Marilyn Smith (GLAHS Founding member, Home Tour Chairperson and past president) won the Eaton County Heritage Award.
• 2006 – Neil and Helen Holihan (Long time Grand Ledge residents and GLAHS members) won the Eaton County Heritage Award.
• 2007 – Betty (Past president) and Harlon MacDowell (Long time Grand Ledge residents and GLAHS members) won the Eaton County Heritage Award.
• 2010 – Roger Millbrook won the Eaton County Heritage Award.
• 2016 – John and Ethelen Herbstreit (both past presidents and continuing board members) won the Eaton County Heritage Award.
• 2018 – Stanley Baxter (Grand Ledge native, longtime resident, GLAHS Board member) won the Eaton County Heritage Award.

Grand Ledge’s Eaton County Heritage Award Winners

• 1995 – The GLAHS Historical Society

• 1996 – The Grand Ledge Opera House

• 1997 – Suzanne Schramski (local historical expert and past president)

• 1999 – The GLAHS Museum

• 2003 – Lorabeth Fitzgerald (GLAHS Founding member and 3 time past president)

• 2005 – Marilyn Smith ((GLAHS Founding member, Home Tour Chairperson and past president)

• 2006 – Neil and Helen Holihan (Long time Grand Ledge residents and GLAHS members)

• 2007 – Betty (Past president) and Harlon MacDowell (Long time Grand Ledge residents and GLAHS members)

• 2010 – Roger Millbrook

• 2016 – John and Ethelen Herbstreit (both past presidents and continuing board members)

• 2018 – Stanley Baxter (Grand Ledge native, longtime resident, GLAHS Board member)