Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear

06/04/2026

There’s lots going on this summer. Here’s a sampling:

Horse and Wagon Tours Thursdays at 9:30 from June through August
https://phsb.org/experience/programs/horse-wagon-tours/

Log Cabin Day featuring the Boekeloo Log Cabin June 28.
https://phsb.org/events-calendar/log-cabin-day-2025/

Youth Plein Air Experience July 11
https://phsb.org/experience/programs/youth-plein-air-experience/

Farm to Table Dinner experiences July 16 & September 3
https://phsb.org/events-calendar/farm-to-table-dinners/

14th Annual Port Oneida Run August 1
https://phsb.org/port-oneida-run-2/

Port Oneida Fair August 7 & 8
https://phsb.org/port-oneida-fair/

And more to come….

06/03/2026

Join us at the Annual Barn Workshop June 8 – 12.

This marks the 30th year that Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Michigan Barn Preservation Network have offered "hands-on" barn workshops within the park.

This year's sessions will be held at the Lyle and Sarah Schmidt farm, located three miles south of Empire, Michigan, off M-22 on Norconk Road, with signage provided along M-22.

The primary focus of the workshop will be repair of the horse barn. Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear volunteers will be leading a fence rebuild. This is a good workshop for families and novice carpenters as well as more seasoned carpenters. A wide selection of tasks will keep everyone interested.

There is no cost to participate. Participants should wear boots, gloves, and bring a sack lunch. Activities begin at 9 a.m. daily. Participants can sign up for any number of days. While registration by June 5 is preferred for planning purposes, day of workshop drop-ins and observers are welcome.

On-site camping will be available at the Schmidt farm for registered participants, with amenities provided, including access to showers at park campgrounds.

44.789001, -86.058197 13326 Norconk Rd, Honor, MI 49640

Contact Kimberly Mann @ 231-326-4771 or email: [email protected].

Photo credit: Michigan Barn Preservation Network, prior year photo of participant learning timber framing joinery.

05/31/2026

Good things underway at the Charles & Hattie Olsen Farm this past week. This trench will provide electric service to the barn, enhancing opportunities for programming. Stay tuned!

05/23/2026

We will see you tomorrow!

Whether you are new to volunteering in the park and want to learn more, or are a long-standing volunteer with us, we encourage you to come, meet other volunteers, and hear what is ahead this season to care for this place we love!

We have a full season planned of projects to preserve park resources, and programs that share park history! And, some new ways to give back with easy and flexible schedules.

Submit new volunteer forms so you can pick up your park pass!

05/12/2026

Calling all artists! Be a part of history and submit your artwork to be featured on the 2026 Port Oneida Fair Poster!

As we celebrate the 250th Anniversary of American independence, we invite you to create artwork inspired by our nation’s history and the Port Oneida Rural Historic District.

We encourage artists to incorporate elements of Freedom 250 in their artwork. For example, you can include symbols of freedom, history, or American pride alongside the beauty of Port Oneida. Let your creativity tell a story of heritage, history, and community.

The fair committee requests all artwork to be original and two-dimensional. Preferably horizontal in orientation, approximately two units high by three units wide. We may crop your image slightly to fit the poster format.
To submit your work, email the highest quality image (jpg, tif, gif, or png) to [email protected]. Files should be under 1MB. Please include the title, size, and medium of the piece. You may submit up to five entries and there is no entry fee!
Deadline for submissions is May 27. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your art in celebration of our history and community.

For more information, visit the POF webpage here:
https://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/pofair.htm

The Port Oneida Fair is presented by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in partnership with Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear.

04/29/2026

Your park partners at work for you on Capitol Hill with to educate lawmakers about Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and our gateway communities.

We are proud and grateful to have board member, Lora MacDonald (far left) who lives part time in D.C., represent Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear. Meeting with US Representative Jack Bergman, Michigan 1st District (center).

Pictured left to right are Lora MacDonald, Tom Irvine (National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation) Rep. Jack Bergman, Laura Ann Johnson (Friends of Sleeping Bear), Alissa Robinson-Byers (NPF).

04/29/2026

Excited to once again have Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear attend Hill Day today in our nation's Capitol!

Whether it’s the historic features, the wildlife, or the shared experiences, national parks connect us all! We're joining the and park partners from across the country on Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers and show that we’re , working to keep places like Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore thriving. We'll keep you posted as the day progresses!

04/28/2026

🍏🍎Apple Orchard Pruning Workshop, Friday, May 1.

This year’s activities include two workshops:
🍎Grafting and planting workshop, 10am -12pm, Kelderhouse Farm
🍏Pruning workshop, 1pm - 4pm, Peter Burfiend Farm

Remnant orchards dot the farmscapes in the historic areas of Sleeping Bear. Learn the proper method of pruning antique fruit trees, then volunteer to be a Landscape Steward for an orchard with Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear. This annual project is sponsored by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore with funding support from Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear.

Email [email protected] or call 231-326-4771 for information and to register. Drop-ins, observers and late registration accepted.

04/17/2026

Calling all artists…

Calling all artists! This year we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of American independence. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore invites YOU to create artwork inspired by our nation’s history and the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. Your original piece could be featured in this year's Port Oneida Fair (POF) poster!

We encourage artists to incorporate elements of Freedom 250 in their artwork. For example, you can include symbols of freedom, history, or American pride alongside the beauty of Port Oneida. Let your creativity tell a story of heritage, history, and community.

The POF committee requests all artwork to be original and two-dimensional. Preferably horizontal in orientation, approximately two units high by three units wide. We may crop your image slightly to fit the poster format.

To submit your work, email the highest quality image (jpg, tif, gif, or png) to [email protected]. Files should be under 1MB. Please include the title, size, and medium of the piece. You may submit up to five entries and there is no entry fee!

Deadline for submissions is May 27. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your art in celebration of our history and community.
For more information, visit the POF webpage here:
https://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/pofair.htm

NPS Photo