Historic Sleeping Bear Preservation receives Michigan historic preservation award
From staff reports
Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear, now named Historic Sleeping Bear Preservation, was honored by the Michigan Historic Preservation Network on May 18 as a recipient of the “2018 Community Award” for historic preservation.
Accepting the award in Lansing was Susan Pocklington, director of Historic Sleeping Bear; Tom Ulrich, deputy superintendent of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and volunteer and former board chair of Historic Sleeping Bear, Stacie Sadowski. The ceremony honored recipients in several categories who have exemplified historic preservation in Michigan.
“We gratefully accept this award on behalf of our staff, board of directors, and dedicated volunteers, members and supporters that have made this work possible,” said Pocklington. “Their contribution is an investment in our National Park that is making a difference.”
The award comes as Historic Sleeping Bear (HSB) celebrates its 20th anniversary this July. Since 1998, the nonprofit has worked as an official partner with the National Park Service to preserve and interpret the historic structures, landscapes, and heritage of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. During that time, HSB has stabilized and rehabilitated dozens of buildings and landscapes. Work has included restoring the graceful Katie Shepard Hotel on North Manitou Island, rehabilitating the Charles and Hattie Olsen farmstead into an educational center (the Port Oneida Farms Heritage Center), reclaiming historic farm fields in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District, and sponsoring activities, programs and publications to educate the public about the region’s history. The simple goal has been “save as many as you can”. Deputy superintendent Ulrich is effusive in his praise of HSB, saying, “the public owes Historic Sleeping Bear a debt of gratitude for their pivotal role in preserving the region’s significant history.”
To celebrate their 20th anniversary, the organization will host the event, “Celebrate Historic Sleeping Bear!” on June 29-30 including a showing of the “Barn Raisers” film documentary in the Olsen Barn—an all-day event from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. of family activities and tours, culminating with a barn dance. For details call 231-334-6103 or visit Phsb.org.
