
September 16th, 2023
10:00am – 3:00pm
This is the 2nd annual Maritime History Festival hosted by the Leelanau Historical Society. We aim to celebrate Leelanau’s maritime past by gathering local maritime organizations, historians, and preservationists together for a day of education and celebration.
Explore exhibits, stroll the back lawn of the museum along the Leland River. Enjoy live music while visiting each tent and learning about the many organizations and individuals who bring maritime history to life.
This is a free family-friendly event open to the public at the Leelanau Historical Society Museum – 203 E. Cedar Street, Leland, MI. 49654. Bring your lawn chairs/blankets and the whole family for a day of maritime fun and live music. Hot dogs and brats will be available for sale.
Admission for Leelanau Historical Society exhibits will be free. Donations are appreciated.

18th Annual Classic Wood Boats on the Wall
View the live exhibit “Boats on the Wall”, and enjoy this year’s line up of classic wood boats on the dock behind the museum. Part of the annual Maritime History Festival.
2023 Event Partners:
Leelanau Historical Society, Lake Leelanau Lake Association, Sweeties Homemade Baked Goods, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Historian & Author, Kathy Firestone, Fox Island Lighthouse Association. Leelanau Clean Water and the Leelanau School are proud to share a replica Montreal Canoe. Grand River Navigation, and Maritime Heritage Alliance.
Live Music by Billy & The Kid.
Leland Library will also be having their fall book sale.
Event News Feature by 9&10 News


Get Involved
Interested in being a Vendor or Event Partner?
Contact us: info@leelanauhistory.org
Demonstrate a Skill/Share your knowledge
Sign up to demonstrate a skill, facilitate an activity, or host an informational booth. Demonstrations & Vendor topics must be representative of local maritime history, knowledge, and/or skills, past or present.
Not sure if your skill/activity/organization fits these qualifications? Just ask!
Contact Kim or Elizabeth at info@leelanauhistory.org | (231) 256-7475
2022 Event Image Gallery
Thanks to last years participants for making the inaugural year of the Leelanau Maritime History Festival a success!













