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Otsego Area Historical Society

218 N. Farmer St., Otsego, Michigan 49078

269.692.3775
Summer Hours: Saturday 10 to 2 
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Historical Happenings

The program for May 14, 2026 at 7:02 PM features Valerie Van Heest whose program is entitled; Fatal Crossing: the Mysterious Disappearance of NWA Flight 2501.  On June 23, 1950 North West Airlines flight 2501, a DC-4 with 58 people on board disappeared over Lake Michigan.  The wreckage was never located and the cause of the accident never determined.  Over a century later, nationally acclaimed author and explorer of the National Underwater Marine Agency, Clive Cussler and Valerie attempted to find the wreckage.  She will discuss her adventures in this highly recommended program.

June 11, 2026 will be the History of Allegan presented by Mark Lovett from the Allegan County Historical Society.  He will share an engaging look at the rich history of Allegan.  As the county seat, the town has a unique past filled with interesting people events and stories that have shaped the community over time.  Refreshments and social time follow each program
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35 Star Flag
This 35 star flag represents the admission of West Virginia to the union on June 20, 1863 (the only state admitted during the Civil War).  It was only in use for about a year when Nevada was admitted on October 31, 1984.  It was carried in battle and has three bullet holes.  It was brought back to Michigan by William Joseph Carroll and donated to the museum by his great grandson Richard Minnis
The gun is a 1863 muzzle loaded .58 caliber Springfield owned by Carroll
The Diary was for the year 1865 and began on January 1 and ended on July 28, 1865.  Carroll mustered out on July 25, 1865 so for the remainder of the year he was in the Kalamazoo/Otsego area.  Richard Minnis has transcribed the diary in a book called Reflections: The War Years 1861-1865
The remnant is of a Civil War Battle Flag
Flag installation
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MISS OTSEGO
The receipt of this dress worn by the very first Miss Otsego inspired this display.  The first Miss Otsego, in 1939, was Caltha Sinclair.  The next contest was not until 1953.  There is a list in the display of all of the ladies who were chosen and the year they served.  Stop in to check out this display
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Historic Preservation Projects

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!