Fort de Buade To Be Focus of Public Hearing Monday
City, Historical Society Plan Details
By Ryan Schlehuber

While the purchase agreement for Fort de Buade Museum is still being drafted, Michilimackinac Historical Society and St. Ignace city officials are preparing a lease agreement for the museum operation.

A committee of city and historical society representatives met Monday, April 23, to hash out details of an agreement that will allow the nonprofit organization to operate the museum and its retail store, called the Unique Shop.

Representing the city were the city attorney, Prentiss "Moie" Brown Jr., City Manager Eric Dodson, Mayor Paul Grondin, and Councilman Paul Fullerton. Two other committee members, Councilmen Willie LaLonde and Don Gustafson were absent. Representing

the Historical Society were Judi Engle, the organization's president, and Tom Pfeiffelmann. Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians board member, Keith Massaway, was also present.

Besides the purchasing agreement, other issues that need to be completed are finalizing the transfer of property from the museum owners, the Benson family, and creating a business and marketing plan for the museum.

The tribe has offered to donate $708,000 to the city over six years, to be used to purchase from the Benson family the museum property and its contents and provide money to get the museum up and running.

Mr. Dodson told The St. Ignace News that the city will purchase the building and its contents, including museum artifacts, for $500,000.

Council will decide whether to accept the purchase agreement after a public hearing scheduled for Monday, May 7, at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

"Basically, the city will own the real estate and artifacts and I assume the historical society will market it," said Mr. Brown. "The city would be the boss."

Mr. Massaway and Ms. Engle asked that the city allow the historical society to operate the museum and the store independently.

"A mutual type of thing would work, no problem, but the city dictating how to run it, I don't think that kind of process will work," said Mr. Massaway.

"I don't want to be in a situation where the city can just step in and stop what we're doing," said Ms. Engle. "We want to be able to do interpretations and presentations freely."

Mr. Pfeiffelmann said the historical society would agree to lease the building and pay for all utilities. It would also pay for minor repairs up to $500 and hire and supervise staff for the museum and the store.

The structural condition of the museum building is of concern to the city. City Fire Chief John "Bucky" Robinson and building inspector Paul Sved, who inspected the building just before the meeting, said there are repairs that should be done before the museum doors open for business, which is scheduled for Memorial Day weekend.

Both men said more exit lights need to be installed, rewiring should be done, and a sprinkler system should be added. The building is more than 70 years old.

More than 2,000 artifacts inside the building, however, are what is most important, said Mr. Brown, who believes the artifacts, themselves, will draw people to the St. Ignace area.

"There is money to be had," he said. "What motivates this thing is that the tribe wants to preserve what promotes them and the city. It will be a great benefit to the community as well as the tribe and their business."

Mr. Brown added that it is conceivable to believe that the state could provide funding for upgrades to the museum in the future, owing to St. Ignace's significance to Michigan history.

Mr. Dodson said he hopes to hold another committee meeting with the Historical Society before the public hearing, but has yet to schedule one.