Leelanau County Historical Preservation Society - Home -

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Welcome! Please join us!

The Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society is a nonprofit organization formed in 2017 to save the County’s Poor Farm Barn for present and future generations. We also work to identify and facilitate the preservation and rehabilitation of historic structures throughout our county.

Join us in returning the Poor Farm Barn to community service!

The Historic Poor Farm Barn is being transformed! With help from our donors, the barn will be transformed into a lively hub for cultural arts, theater, live music, and a small-scale farming museum. This will be a welcoming space for social events and community gatherings, supporting the barn’s ongoing care and preservation.

News and Activities

Check here often to see the latest News and Events.

Preservation and Rehabilitation

Join us in returning the Poor Farm Barn to community service! A well-known historic structure, the Poor Farm Barn hasn’t been used for farming since the 1960s, but it still […]

Documentary on the Leelanau County Poor Farm

“Saving the Barn; the Leelanau County Poor Farm” is a locally produced documentary on the history, preservation, and future of the Leelanau County Poor Farm/County Infirmary. The film is a […]

Three Terrific Picnic Concerts

Our main goal in hosting this Concert Series was to raise awareness of Poor Farm Barn, the last remaining structure of the Leelanau County Poor Farm, 1901 – 1961. In […]

BIG Crowd at our July 30th Picnic Concert!

The first of our three-part Summer Picnic Concert Series took place on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, with over 220 enthusiastic attendees. Though uncertain at times, the weather cooperated. The musicians, […]

Accomplishments

Be among the first to read our latest edition of Looking Back . Moving Forward. We are excited to share our latest happenings and what is on the horizon for LCHPS.

Three Sisters Native American Planting Tradition

The Three Sisters For millenniums corn, beans, and squash —the Three Sisters —have been planted together in a shared space. Corn comes up first, then the beans which use the […]

3 Bin Composting Demonstration, May 29, 2024

A more formalized system of composting has begun at the Leelanau County Poor Farm. On May 29, 2024, thirty-two participants joined us for this event spearheaded by Kama Ross, County […]

Archaeology Day, May 18, 2024

The Leelanau County Historic Preservation Societyand the Michigan Archaeological Society (MAS), along with the Northwest Michigan Chapter of MAS Presented An Archaeological Discovery Day for Students May 18th 2024 • […]

May is National Preservation Month

Welcome! Learn about and join us in preservation activities countywide!The Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society, formed in 2017 as a nonprofit to save a barn, has a much larger challenge […]

EXCITING FUNDRAISER SEPTEMBER 24

Row-by-Row Event, (formerly) Buckets of Rain Date: Sunday September 24, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm Location: Broomstack Kitchen and Taphouse Maple City, MI 49664 Please save this date […]

Celebrate Historic Preservation in Leelanau County

EVENT TO CELEBRATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION IN LEELANAU COUNTY Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society will host an event on May 27 (rain date, May 28), with guided barn tours to honor […]

Telling Stories – GAAC Current Exhibit

As part of the Glen Arbor Art Association’s (GAAC) Exhibition, Telling Stories exhibition [January 13 – March 23, 2023], Gallery Manager Sarah Bearup-Neal talked with LCHPS Board Members, Barbara Siepker […]

Barn Lean-to Reconstruction

Shed Roof Reconstruction Perhaps you’ve driven by the Leelanau County Poor Farm Barn recently and noticed a new addition to the exterior on the west side of the barn. First […]

Restoration/Preservation Award from the Historical Society of Michigan

Announcing the Winners of the 2022 State History Awards LANSING, Mich.—The Historical Society of Michigan (HSM) announces its 2022 State History Award winners, who will be recognized during the Annual […]

Annual Fundraising Appeal for 2022

Hello Friends, Since our beginning five years ago, The Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society (LCHPS), has been extremely fortunate to have generous financial donors like you, who believed in our […]

In Need of a Refrigerator

Row by Row (formerly Buckets of Rain) and Food Rescue of Northwest Michigan are seeking a large home or small commercial working refrigerator that is fully or even partially donated. […]

Exciting New Grant Awards

Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society (LCHPS) Receives $20,000 in Grants for Documentary LCHPS board members, Barbara Siepker and Tina Mehren, have been working on a documentary of the historic ‘Leelanau […]

At Last, the Cupola Installation

On May 2, 2022 the replica of the cupola was installed. The installation crew was comprised of James Schettek (far left), owner of David Webster Construction and grandson of John […]

Save the Date

Looking Back • Moving Forward

The Glen Lake Community Library Sponsors: Looking Back • Moving Forward Leelanau County Poor Farm Lives On: From the early days to the future Tuesday May 3, 2022 7:00 pm […]

James Schettek, grandson of the barn builder, stands next to the complete cupola

Ball Grant Furthers Preservation Work on the Barn

The Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society is pleased to announce that we have received a generous grant from the Edmund F. and Virginia B. Ball Foundation in 2021. The Ball […]

Barn of the Year Award Ceremony

The Michigan Barn Preservation Network is pleased to announce that the Leelanau County Poor Farm Barn that you nominated has been selected to receive the 2021 Barn of the Year […]

Leelanau County Poor Farm Michigan Historic Marker Dedication

The cast-metal historic marker for the Leelanau County Poor Farm at Miles Kimmerly County Park has arrived. One side focuses on the farm history and the other on the Barn.

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Poor Farm History