National Lakeshore celebrates Glen Haven Days

From staff reports

Step back in time with a visit to an historic Great Lakes village and United States Life-Saving Station during Glen Haven Days at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Saturday, May 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join Park Rangers and volunteers in hands-on activities related to Michigan’s maritime heritage that will bring history of the early 1900s to life. Watch a blacksmith at the forge, discover the unique history of one of the area’s founders, visit a general store, learn how different tools used in logging shaped this area, participate in a shipwreck rescue, and much more. Although this program has been offered to school groups in the past, this year will mark the first time the National Lakeshore has offered it to the public. All programs are free. Participants need only purchase the Park Entrance Pass or have an Annual Pass displayed in their vehicle to join in the fun.

Glen Haven is considered one of the best surviving examples of an early Great Lakes steamship village in the region. A large dock, fuel, food and other services were provided to ships traveling the Great Lakes between Chicago and New York. Today, the National Park Service preserves and interprets the Blacksmith Shop, General Store, Cannery Boat Museum and the Sleeping Bear Point Life-Saving Station.

For more in-depth information about the National Lakeshore, please visit Nps.gov/slbe.