Marilla Historical Society - Museum & Pioneer Place

06/03/2026

In the 1930s, a young teacher with a passion for wildflowers lived in Marilla Michigan. We don't always know the impact our lives will have during our lifetime or after... A historical lecture will be held at Mills Community House (891 Michigan Ave, Benzonia) & via Zoom on Thurs, June 11, 7pm: "More Than a Marm: The Power of One Person to Leave a Lasting Legacy". This presentation by Douglas Glick, Marilla Historical Society President, is about the gift of one woman who's legacy of "a selfish pursuit" became one of the most prized artifacts at the Marilla Historical Society -- still in use today, nearly 100 years after it was created. Full details at https://benziemuseum.org/.../june-11-2026-benzonia.../

05/30/2026

Take a quilt tour this weekend! You will find 3 quilt blocks in Marilla Township in Manistee County. And stop by Marilla Museum and Pioneer Place during open hours, Saturday, 1-4 pm. to tour the museum buildings. Get directions to all 3 quilts here: https://marillahistory.org/marilla-quiltblocks

05/29/2026

You'll enjoy the story behind "Wild Flowers of Orchard Hill Farm" and the life of one amazing woman.

Join us on Thursday, June 11th, at 7 pm at the Mills Community House for our upcoming Benzonia Academy Lecture Series, as Douglas Glick presents "More Than a Marm: The Power of One Person to Leave a Lasting Legacy."

05/28/2026

Cleaning Person wanted for Marilla Museum & Pioneer Place. Tasks include cleaning the main museum year round, plus the Pioneer Buildings April through October.

• Up to 3 hours of cleaning per month from November through March
• Up to 14 hours per month from April through October.
• Must be insured and bonded
• Competitive pay offered
• Flexible scheduling

Located 8 miles west of Mesick. Help support the mission of bringing local history alive. If interested, please contact Douglas Glick, Marilla Historical Society Board President, at 757.813.0311 or email to [email protected]

05/19/2026

Historical Lecture on Thurs, June 11, 7pm: "More Than a Marm: The Power of One Person to Leave a Lasting Legacy". We don't always know the impact our lives will have during our lifetime or after. This presentation by Douglas Glick, Marilla Historical Society President, is about the gift of one woman who's legacy of "a selfish pursuit" became one of the most prized artifacts at the Marilla Historical Society -- still in use today, nearly 100 years after it was created. Held at Mills Community House & via Zoom; 891 Michigan Ave, Benzonia, MI. Full details at https://benziemuseum.org/2026/05/18/june-11-2026-benzonia-academy-lecture-series-more-than-a-marm-the-power-of-one-person-to-leave-a-lasting-legacy/

05/18/2026

Look for the Marilla Museum booth stocked with local historical items.

Plan now to join us for the 48th Annual Spirit of the Woods Festival!
Here are the updated schedules for the two stages.
Main Stage:
Noon Ray Jankowski and Friends
1:00 Elisabeth Pixley Fink
2:00 Robin Lee Berry
3:00 Ruby John and Emily Doebler
4:00 Future Time String Band
5:00 Rabbit Fur
6:00 Robin Lee Berry and the Good Souls
7:00 Luke Winslow-King

Second Stage:
1:00 Open Mic
2:00 Resistance Choir
3:00 Rebecca Rodriguez
4:00 American Beech Grass
5:00 Open Mic

05/03/2026

Remember Mom next Sunday with a beautiful Botanical Print from the "Wildflowers of Orchard Hill Farm Collection" that Eveline Ritchie handpainted in Marilla circa 1930. Framed ($45) and unframed ($10) prints are available exclusively at Marilla Museum. If you order online https://marillahistory.org/shop, we can't guarantee you will receive them before Mother's Day, so we recommend purchasing in person at the Museum, located at 9991 Marilla Rd, open Tuesdays & Saturdays, 1-4 pm. Marillahistory.org

05/03/2026

Fantastic preservation of railroad history!

11/29/2025

The tree-lover’s issue ❤️🌳

Our final 2025 issue focuses on trees--the nonprofits such as ReLeaf Michigan and Archangel Ancient Tree Archive that plant them, the species or individual trees our writers like best, and several actions we can take to help keep our forests healthy. Our poems this time take us outdoors--from quiet observations in evening's light to waves washing words ashore, to what our trees might be dreaming. Read, too, about the M-22 Cuisine Crawl in Arcadia, the importance of community volunteerism and opportunities to lend a hand in Kaleva, and our Northwoods Sauce Boss's recent adventure catching flights for his trip overseas. We printed a list of the nonprofits we featured or mentioned in our stories this year in time for GivingTuesday. See you at the Christmas in Onekama Artisan Market tomorrow!