Otsego Area Historical Society

218 N. Farmer St., Otsego, Michigan 49078

269.692.3775
Summer Hours: Saturday 10 to 2 Monday 4 to 7pm
Contact Us
Img 0227

Historical Happenings

Ron Rademacher will once again entertain audiences at the Museum at 7:02 pm on Thursday, July 11.  His presentation is entitled Michigan Back Roads – Historic Structures. 
Our August Program will be on Saturday, Aug 3 at 1:02 PM with Valerie VanHeest speaking about her underwater explorations in the Great Lakes .  She is an experienced diver who has discovered and investigated over 50 shipwrecks.  This will be a great program for you to bring your kids and grand kids to.  This program will be on Saturday so that we do not conflict with the Library’s Lyrics on the Lawn which are held on Thursdays during the month of August.
The September program will feature John L. Daly, a speaker, educator and actor.  He will be telling us “How Michigan became Michigan”.  Join us on September 12 at 7:02 pm.
Refreshments follow each of our programs.  Programs are all free but contributions are always accepted.
 
Learn More
35 Star Flag
Flag installation

Your Title Goes Here

Your description text goes here. You can edit all of this text and replace it with whatever you like. For example, you can write about your company, the products or services you offer, the areas you serve and what makes you unique. You can even include a button to encourage visitors to take a specific action.
Learn More

Historic Preservation Projects

Straton house 444 w allegan

Historic Homes
Identification

Learn identify the architecture
and age of an old house.
Learn More
Storefront

"Snapshot" Of Otsego Local Businesses

Document and preserve information about the many businesses that exist in Otsego.
Learn More
Image

Paper Making
Exhibit

The history of paper making
in Otsego.
Learn More

Otsego Area Historical Society Museum Grand Opening

The Otsego Area Historical Society dedicated its new museum building on Friday, September 24, 2004 in a beautiful ceremony attended by nearly one hundred guests.  The cheerful crowd heard inspirational and congratulatory speeches by Society board member Craig Sisson (master of ceremonies), Kevin Feuka from Capital Consultants Engineers, Sandra Clark from the Michigan Historical Center, Jeff Volker of Menasha Corp., and Mayor Joel Thompson.  Sisson and others honored local historian Ed Goodsell, whose love for history and for Otsego will never be forgotten.  His wife Frances attended the ceremony and took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.  Also praised were City Commissioner Bruce Zantjer, who initiated the museum idea several years ago, Jan Cushman, who brought the early planners face to face, and Otsego’s Downtown Development Authority members, who actively supported and promoted the transformation of the waterworks building into a beautiful museum building.

After the ribbon cutting, all the guests proceeded into the museum with Frances Goodsell and her granddaughter Lisa leading the way.  This was a special moment, complete with plenty of goose bumps for those close to the Goodsell's and close to the museum project.  Visitors curiously investigated the building and the two opening exhibits: a photographic history of Otsego, and an Otsego Public Schools’ student art show.

The Otsego Creative Arts Festival held on Saturday, September 25, 2004, brought over 1000 visitors into the museum during a 7-hour period, and all experienced a great time!   
Museum building
Presenting plaque1
Sandra clark
Interior
Previous Next