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Why This Campaign is Important...
| "Whether you are an organization that preserves a historic structure, or a family that turns a former eyesore into a wonderful gem of a home, preservation does more than save buildings – it saves communities." | ||
| – Jennifer Granholm, Michigan Governor |
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- Addition of 150-seat recital/lecture hall
- Expanded meeting space in the lower level
- Library renovation and expansion
In response to community needs and with encouraging results from a campaign feasibility study, Mills Community House Association has launched a campaign to renovate and expand the historic building in an effort to protect this important piece of Benzie County history.
Benzie County has been deemed an “underserved area” by the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs -- not for lack of talent, or lack of interested audiences -- but for the shortage of performance space for community ensembles and touring groups. With a renovated Mills, and a community already committed to education and arts, we expect to have Benzie County become a model of activities for many inspiring and culturally enriching events.
| "We have always been proud that the roots of our community were based on intellectual and social values celebrating learning, tolerance and a wholesome lifestyle in a rural setting with stunning natural resources." | ||
| – George and Althea Petritz, Campaign Honorary Chairs |
As part of the renovation and expansion of the building, Mills will be able to accommodate more of the constant and increasing need for performance and lecture areas and public meeting rooms.
Renovation of the Mills will not only preserve a wonderful historic site, but also provide future generations the opportunity to build memories at one of the community’s oldest structures.
If you would like to know more about the renovation project at Mills Community House, please call Julie Friley, Campaign Manager, at 231-882-0591 or e-mail: millshouse@I2k.com
- To download Detailed Floor Plans of the renovation efforts (3.02 MB), click here.
- To download our Named Gift Opportunities (131 KB), click here.
- To download our Q & A Piece on the renovation plan (117 KB), click here.
Lower Level—Meeting Space
Renovations on the lowest floor call for a 2,300 square foot expansion, which will increase the availability of office spaces and storage. The addition also allows for the possibility of a larger meeting space. The additional office and small meeting space will be not only for staff/volunteers for the Mills, but made available for other organizations that need a functional and centrally located meeting area.
Library Level
The Library level will expand, giving larger reading rooms and expanded areas for stacks and increased workstations. As the county and regional population grows (both year-round and seasonal) the library use increases, collections expand, and computerization requires space. The enlarged library will allow easier access to growing book and audio collections, more comfortable reading & research areas for patrons, and better working areas for staff and volunteers.
Upper Level—Recital/Lecture Hall
The upper floor will be renovated into a recital/lecture hall, with a large lobby area suitable for breaks during seminars and educational classes. The intimate 150-seat hall will be the perfect size for most community ensembles, recitals, visiting and touring groups and ensembles, readings, classic films and educational classes and lectures. The raked floor will provide quality sightlines for each audience member. Restrooms and dressing rooms will be added to accommodate the audience and performers and participants.
The 150-seat hall will complement the 600-seat Benzie County Central Schools auditorium, and be especially suitable to the smaller audiences that attend many programs. With the closing of the Sail Inn in 2006, the Benzie County Players no longer have a venue for their shows, so the stage and atmosphere in the Mills is one that their members, and many other community ensembles and organizations are anxiously looking forward to using.
