Historical Society of Michigan awards $55,000 to local history projects

What’s happening: The many small- and mid-sized history organizations that help tell Michigan’s story have an advocate in the Historical Society of Michigan, a nongovernmental nonprofit that is fittingly touted as the state’s oldest cultural organization with its founding in 1828. The nonprofit recently announced the winners of its annual Michigan History Alliance Grant Program, which has awarded more than $55,000 in grants in its 2026 season.

What it is: Reserved for small- to medium-sized history organizations with annual operating budgets under $250,000, the Michigan History Alliance grants were awarded at maximum amounts of $2,500 to 26 total organizations throughout the state. The Consumers Energy Foundation contributed $25,000 and Dr. Mark Jenness and Dr. Cheryl Lyon-Jenness
contributed $5,000 to this year’s grant pool.

Why it’s important: “The grant landscape is very competitive right now for history organizations and we know that our member organizations are doing extraordinary work in preserving and interpreting our history at the local level,” reads a statement from HSM executive director and CEO Larry Wagenaar. “Our grant application has been designed to be accessible to smaller institutions who might have little grant-writing experience. These grants are relatively modest,
but they will go on to create significant community impact in the hands of these recipients.”

Where it’s going: Grants were awarded in communities large and small, ranging from a $637 grant to the Leslie Historical Society for the purchase and installation of a new sign to a $2,500 maximum grant for the Schoolcraft County Historical Society as it seeks to purchase a high-efficiency furnace for its archive building. Other highlights include grants that support the Imlay City Historical Commission in its efforts to restore 18 artworks by Imlay City native Martin H. Linstead ($1,651.71); the Algonac-Clay Township Historical Society, which intends to replace loose chinking and rotten logs at the Log Cabin Museum in Clay Township ($2,500); and the Bernard Historical Society and Museum in Delton, which will use a $2,123 grant to support water damage repairs at the Seamstress Cottage building.

A complete breakdown of the 26 winning organizations and projects can be found at the Historical Society of Michigan.