History of Benzonia Public Library

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​MILLS COMMUNITY HOUSE: This historic structure is owned by the Mills Community House Association and houses the Benzonia Public Library. It was built in 1909 as a part of the Benzonia Academy, it is the only remaining building from the Academy which closed in 1918. The library is a Village treasure, as made apparent in the comments from the public survey. It was often the answer for ‘what is the one thing you like BEST about the Village’. It first started operating in 1925 and is the County’s oldest continuously operated library.  Along with the library, there are 2 meeting spaces and a commercial kitchen available in the building. It is a historic site and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972.         

Description from the  Village of Benzonia 2020 Master Plan

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Celebrating over 98 years in the historic 
Mills Community House

Serving Benzie County since 1925.

Librarians of BPL
Serving our community since 1925.

Etta Whiteman
Bernice Sleezer
Ethyl Huntington
Edvena Sinclair
Fern Wheeler
Iva Sleeper
Susan Gerhart

Ruth Forrest
Pam Ellinger
Mary Jo Johnson
Roxane Miner
Marjorie Porter
Sara  Boven
Amanda McLaren

Although the Benzonia Public Library and Mills Community House are now legally separate entities, they share a long history and maintain a symbiotic relationship. Our fundraising is separate, but we work together in many ways. The library has been in the Mills Community House since 1925, after having “floated” around the community in private homes for many years. In 2025, the Library will be hosting a year long celebration of 100 years in this location!

In 1925, the Mills Cottage building belonged to the Congregational Church in Benzonia. Seeking to serve the whole community, a committee was elected by the church to run the building, with sub-committees for administration, scheduling, and the library. The grand opening of the Mills Community House and library was held on March 19, 1925. The library sub-committee was composed of Prof Sinclair (father of recently deceased Marjorie Call), Miss Olsen, and Mrs. Spelman. The latter had direct charge of the library, buying books and magazines in addition to arranging the hours at which the library was open.

In Oct. 1925, a new hostess, Mrs. J. T. Whiteman, was hired. She kept the building open from 3:00-5:30 in the afternoon and from 7:00-9:00 in the evening so that the library and reading room would be available for all who desired to use them. If you look at some of the older books in the Benzonia Public Library’s collection, you will see that they are stamped “Mills Community House Library.”

In 1966, steps were taken to comply with state requirements for a state authorized village library. A proposition on the March 1967 ballot, approved 74 to 4, established a free public library and also a tax for the first five years on property in the Village of Benzonia. Benzonia Public Library had been created! A tax millage was again voted in 1972 with a vote of 42-5.

 Benzonia Public Library and Darcy Library of Beulah started planning in 2010 for a joint library board agreement with Benzonia Township. Residents of the Township were asked to pass a 6-year millage supporting both libraries equally, and Township residents were eligible to serve on one or the other of the library boards (but not on both boards at the same time). In May 2011, the millage passed 491 to 230. In Nov 2012, Benzonia Township residents who did not live in the Village of Benzonia were elected to serve on the Benzonia Library Board for the first time.

Mills Cottage 1913

Mills Community House 2014