The Arenac County Historical Society [ACHS] was incorporated in 1970 as a non-profit
educational organization to preserve history and to establish and operate a museum.
The ACHS Museum was first quartered in a rural schoolhouse and moved to its present
facility in 1984, the former Au Gres Methodist Church. The building, itself, is historic
[circa 1883]; many of the tools used for its construction are on exhibit in the Museum,
along with other historical church documents and artifacts that have been donated by its
members.
Approaching the Museum entrance a restored historic brick side walk leads you inside to
find a rural schoolroom, bedroom and parlor settings, pioneer kitchen, a barber and
apothecary shop, country store items and vintage apparel. A commercial fishing exhibit
features a 1910 IHC stationary engine, nets and fishing equipment from long ago; the
State's highest railroad bridge has been replicated in a unique scale model diorama.
New and interesting exhibits are mounted each month during the summer.
The ACHS and Museum are entirely dependent upon volunteer effort and support; donations
of items, equipment or money are tax-deductible. ACHS is affiliated with the Historical
Society of Michigan and the Michigan Museums Association.
Membership is open to anyone. To join, simply print out the easy to fill-out ACHS membership form and mail it in with your annual dues.
Our Museum is located at 304 E. Michigan Avenue; Au Gres, Michigan 48703.
There is no admission charge to visit. Voluntary donations to support our efforts are always welcomed.
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