By The Sanilac County Historical Society
Port Sanilac, MI (May 7th) — The Sanilac County Historic Village & Museum invites the public to kick off summer with a full slate of Memorial Day Weekend celebrations from Friday, May 23 through Sunday, May 25, 2025.
Friday, May 23 – History and Heritage Begin the Weekend
Start your weekend by visiting the Port Sanilac Farmers Market, held on the Museum grounds from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, where local vendors will showcase fresh produce, crafts, and more.
Then at 5:00 PM, join us inside the Loop-Harrison Mansion for a special lecture, “Behind the Scenes of History,” featuring historian Andrew Kercher sharing rare stories and insights from his time working on Mackinac Island, including the Grand Hotel.
Saturday, May 24 – Open Mic Community Music
Bring your instruments and your love of music for our first Open Mic Music Series of the season! Sign-up begins at 3:30 PM, with performances beginning at 4:00 PM. Enjoy grassroots community music in the beautiful open-air setting of our historic grounds.
Sunday, May 25 – Milestones Celebration & Ribbon Cutting
At 2:30 PM, we will gather for a ceremonial Ribbon Cutting to celebrate five incredible new additions and achievements at the Sanilac County Historic Village & Museum:
- Historic Outdoor Information Panels
Thanks to grants from Michigan Humanities and the Michigan Arts & Culture Council, a series of permanent, beautifully designed interpretive signs have been installed across the grounds. These panels highlight major historical themes including Early Exploration, the Civil War, Commercial Fishing, Lighthouse Life, Prohibition, Native Peoples of the Thumb, and more—offering free, educational, and accessible insights to all visitors. - New Outdoor Pavilion
Our brand-new pavilion, supported by Michigan Arts & Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts, provides a covered performance space beside our carriage barn stage. Built by Stone Builders LLC, this pavilion is a game-changer for hosting concerts, lectures, and community events. - Reopening of the Ward Lake Cottage
After professional restoration by M.C. Shine of Fort Gratiot, the beloved Ward Lake Cottage is once again open to the public. Originally a humble 1920s Lake Huron hunting cabin, the cottage stands today as a testament to local shoreline living of the 1940s. - Peninsula Prize for Community Engagement
We are honored to celebrate receiving the 2025 Michigan Museums Association Peninsula Prize for Community Engagement—an incredible recognition of our commitment to serving the public through history, programming, and partnerships. We’ll proudly have the award on display for the first time during Sunday’s ceremony. - Opening of New Lighthouse Exhibit
Step into the Loop-Harrison Mansion to explore our Summer 2025 Lighthouse Exhibit, telling the story of Grace Sinclair Holmes, Port Sanilac’s own “Lady of the Light.” This exhibit highlights the life of one of Michigan’s few female lighthouse keepers and the generational legacy of maritime service in her family.
Live Music with Steve Washburn
At 3:00 PM, following the ribbon cutting, stay and enjoy a free concert on the Carriage Barn Stage by local favorite Steve Washburn. Light refreshments will be available during the event.
The Sanilac County Historic Village & Museum is located at 228 S. Ridge St (M25) in Port Sanilac. For more information visit www.sanilaccountymuseum.org or on Facebook at “Sanilac County Historic Village & Museum”, or call the office at 810.622.9946.
