Pentwater Business After Hours took place at the Village Pub on Friday, Feb. 20, hosted by the Village Pub and the Pentwater Historical Society (PHS). The jovial group of 37 attendees enjoyed food from Clutch and updates from the Pub’s Assistant Manager Joe Frontiera and from PHS Membership Director Beth Russell.
Frontiera informed attendees, “The Pub bar will continue to be open through the winter every Saturday night with live music entertainment.” Names of the entertainment groups are posted on the Village Pub website and Facebook page for customers who wish to know in advance.
The next Business After Hours meeting will be held on Thursday, April 2 at 5:30 p.m., upstairs at the Antler Bar with an ambitious agenda. “It takes a village,” quoted Claudia Ressel, “to stuff 10,000 plastic Easter eggs for the annual Easter Egg Hunt on the Village Green. It is a big, fun event, and we hope for great attendance.”
Russell announced the good news that the $1,000,000 goal for beginning construction of the Pentwater Historical Museum expansion has been reached and design approval was given by the Planning Commission. Russell said, “This facilitates finalization of construction plans, and groundbreaking is planned for April when the weather conditions allow.”
The new building, approximately 30 feet by 86 feet, will incorporate a chair lift to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Completion of construction is anticipated in fall 2026, and transfer of displays into the new building will occur before winter, enabling a first-floor-level connection.
“Although the fund goal for beginning construction has been reached, an additional $500,000 is needed to complete the expansion project with new exhibits, both indoor and outdoor, add a mezzanine-level space overlooking the exhibits, and landscaping the property,” Russell continued.
Interactive displays, space for activities with children, dining area options and plans for exhibit rotation and visiting exhibits will create a new local space for special events and a family destination. The most recent museum news is the addition of more property.
Generous donor support has enabled the PHS to purchase the property immediately north of the museum, which currently includes a vacant historic home that cannot be restored. The Red House will be demolished, while the mature trees will be preserved as much as possible. Currently there are no plans to build a structure on the property, and how to most effectively use this additional property for the benefit of the community is under discussion. Please see the PHS newsletter, Pentwater Pride, spring issue, to learn the interesting history of the Red House.
