Michigan State Historic Preservation Office

06/17/2026

Walter French School was built in 1925 to offer a modern, state-of-the-art school for the young scholars of south Lansing. The building helped to usher in progressive educational practices and featured decorative architectural features including large banks of windows, intricate stone carvings, and multicolor brickwork designs. After the school closed in 2004, it spiraled into disrepair. The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2014 as the first step in an adaptive reuse journey that would eventually span more than ten years.

Starting in 2023, the interior was strategically redesigned into 76 affordable apartment units, while retaining character-defining features such as terrazzo floors, large window openings, and wide interior stairways. The Residences at Walter French opened in September 2025 and has full residential occupancy. The property also provides office and commercial space, and is home to an on-site children’s daycare. The renewed Walter French School addresses several needs in the Lansing community, which will keep the future bright long into its second century.

“The redevelopment of the 100-year-old Walter H. French Junior High School transformed a long-neglected building into an innovative multi-use building that includes affordable housing,” said State Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt). “Walter French was once a decaying eyesore, but with state funding that I helped get for the project, it’s become a beautiful landmark and community space. I commend the awardees for their dedication and vision for this crucial investment in the heart of south Lansing.”

Congratulations to Capital Area Housing Partnership ; Quinn Evans; Rohde Construction; and Housing Links, LLC in receiving recognition from Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office for their Rehabilitation of the Walter French School into The Residences at Walter French in Lansing.

06/16/2026

The rehabilitation of the Thompson Block, a Civil War-era building that endured long disinvestment and a devastating fire, was transformative for Ypsilanti's historic Depot Town neighborhood. Learn more about the project that won a Governor's Award for Historic Preservation from the state of Michigan in 2022: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/reports-data/success-stories/thompson-block-in-ypsilanti/

With support from our Michigan Community Revitalization Program, the historic Thompson Block has been transformed into a destination featuring new apartments and a restaurant, helping write a new chapter for a building that's been part of the community for generations.

06/12/2026

Grants ALERT! 📣

Numerous competitive Historic Preservation Fund grants from the National Park Service (NPS) are presently accepting applications:

1. Save America's Treasures
2. History of Equal Rights
3. Underrepresented Communities
4. African American Civil Rights
5. Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization
6. Tribal Heritage
7. Semiquincentennial
8. Historically Black Colleges & Universities

Each grant program has its own application, requirements an deadline, but in the past some of these programs have funded historic preservation planning work, historic designation efforts, and some bricks-and-mortal rehabilitation and repairs. Photo of fancy brickwork for emphasis!

As always, Federal funding for grants awarded from the Historic Preservation Fund is derived from Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas lease revenue, not tax dollars.

Learn more about each program on the NPS State, Tribal, Local, Plans & Grants Division webpage at https://www.nps.gov/subjects/historicpreservationfund/project-grants.htm

06/11/2026

Congratulations to the City of the Village of Clarkston and the Clarkston Historic District Resurvey Committee on receiving recognition from Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office for their outstanding preservation leadership!

Over four years, this volunteer-led effort reevaluated and documented Clarkston’s historic district, uncovering community stories through oral histories, photographs, deed research, and cemetery records while helping ensure the district reflects the full scope of the village’s historic character today.

Their work is a powerful example of how citizen-led preservation efforts can strengthen community identity, celebrate local history, and support thoughtful revitalization for future generations.

06/11/2026

Congratulations to Isle Royale National Park, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and Grand Portage National Monument for their achievements in Collaborative Stewardship of Archaeological Resources on Isle Royale, Keweenaw County.

For no less than five thousand years, people have made the water journey to Isle Royale, known as Minong to regional Anishinaabe cultures. Their time on the island and related activities left imprints on the rugged, wild environment. Isle Royale National Park was established in 1931. The archipelago is a continued place of significance to the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and its status as a Traditional Cultural Place celebrates the tribe’s lasting connections to Minong.

Since 2012, the cultural resource program at Isle Royale has conducted archaeological survey work along the island’s Nipissing beach, a relict Lake Superior shoreline approximately five thousand years old. The Relict Shoreline Survey project has enriched our understanding of Minong’s human past, identifying new archaeological resources and placing them into the wider context of archaeology in the Lake Superior Basin. Among the successes of the project are the long-term connections forged between project research and the regional Ojibwe community. Strong, collaborative partnerships such as this help us all better understand and respect the people who came before us.

“The U.P. is full of picturesque water and landscapes that have great histories sometimes more than a thousand years old,” said State Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan). The ongoing Relict Shoreline survey, which has expanded our understanding of this shared past, is uncovering invaluable archeological resources along the Lake Superior shoreline in the U.P., including Isle Royale. I commend the dedicated researchers and the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa for their collaboration and stewardship."

06/11/2026

The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently named the Detroit Association of Women's Clubs headquarters as one of the 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2026. The building at Ferry and Brush Streets has been DAWC's home since 1941, and was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2024. The same year, burst water pipes caused damage to interior finishes and led to closure of the building to association members and the public. Two years later, the building remains unusable. Learn more about the history of the DAWC and how you can help return the building to service at the link below.

06/10/2026

Congratulations to the USS Silversides Submarine Museum in Muskegon! The USS Silversides, a WWII Gato-Class submarine which is one of 42 designated National Historic Landmarks in Michigan, will head to drydock later this year for a thorough hull inspection and specialized repairs. This project is the recipient of $750,000 Save America's Treasures grant from the Historic Preservation Fund, National Park Service. Keep an eye out for announcements about when this historic vessel will be towed across Lake Michigan this summer!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

USS Silversides Submarine Museum Announces Major Dry Dock Preservation Project

Historic WWII submarine to undergo critical restoration for the first time in decades

Muskegon, MI — June 5, 2026 — The USS Silversides Submarine Museum today announced the launch of a major dry dock preservation project for the USS Silversides (SS-236), one of the most decorated submarines of World War II. This significant effort will ensure the long-term preservation of the vessel and safeguard its legacy for future generations.

In July 2026, USS Silversides will begin a carefully planned journey across Lake Michigan to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, where she will undergo essential preservation work for the first time in decades.

For more than 80 years, USS Silversides has stood as a symbol of American courage, innovation, and sacrifice. Today, much of the vessel lies below the waterline, making it impossible to fully inspect critical structural components while afloat.

This complex, multi-phase project is being led by Valkor Energy Services, serving as the Project and Construction Management Team. Valkor brings significant experience in historic maritime preservation, having served as the project management and engineering firm for the multi-year restoration of the Battleship Texas—one of the most complex ship preservation efforts in the United States.

Once in Sturgeon Bay, restoration will take place at Fincantieri Bay Shipbuilding, a leading Great Lakes shipyard with the capacity and expertise to accommodate a vessel of Silversides’ size and historic significance. The submarine will be transported under tow by Basic Towing, Inc. of Escanaba, Michigan, an experienced marine transportation provider specializing in Great Lakes towing operations.

During dry dock, specialists will conduct a comprehensive evaluation and restoration effort, including hull cleaning, structural inspection, steel repair, and the application of advanced protective coatings to ensure long-term stability.

“USS Silversides is more than a historic artifact—she is a powerful, living connection to the men who served and the communities that supported them,” said Veronica Campbell, Executive Director of the USS Silversides Submarine Museum. “This project represents our commitment to preserving that legacy with care and integrity. By taking action now, we are ensuring that future generations can continue to experience her story firsthand.”

The submarine has not undergone full dry dock preservation in over 50 years, and delaying this work increases the risk of structural deterioration, safety concerns, and significantly higher repair costs. The estimated $3.5 million project is supported by a $750,000 grant through the Save America’s Treasures Grant Program, administered by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Through this grant and the incredible generosity of our major donors and sponsors, this preservation project has come to fruition. The Museum Board and Staff sincerely thank those that stepped up to ensure the submarine’s lasting impact on future generations.

The towing of USS Silversides is tentatively scheduled for July 13, 2026, with a return anticipated in mid-October 2026. During this time, the museum building in Muskegon will remain open to the public, continuing to offer exhibits, programming, and educational experiences.

While USS Silversides undergoes preservation, the Museum is preparing to introduce new waterfront experiences for visitors, including plans for a visiting tall ship. A formal announcement with additional details is expected soon.

USS Silversides welcomes community members, donors, and supporters to be part of this historic effort. Contributions directly support critical preservation work and help ensure that this national treasure remains accessible for generations to come.

https://silversidesmuseum.org/dry-dock-uss-silversides/

06/08/2026

The Froebel School in City of Muskegon Government is Michigan's most recent entry to the National Register of Historic Places!

Froebel School was completed in 1930. The school was developed to bring the latest progressive educational philosophies to elementary students in the Jackson Hill neighborhood. It contained specialized classrooms, including a “home-like” kindergarten room, an auditorium, gymnasium, science labs, an art room, and a branch of the public library open to both students and the wider community. The school is also significant for its architecture as the only example of Spanish Colonial Revival educational architecture in Muskegon, with striking multi-colored terra cotta tiling along the parapet walls and Mission-tile clad entry pavilions. Disused since 2003, the building is now undergoing a transformation into apartments and community space.

This becomes just the latest among more than a dozen former Michigan schools listed in the National Register over the past few years as part of their journey toward a new, future use. Historic school buildings are typically built well and anchor the neighborhood they serve. After a school closes, the building(s) can be great candidates for adaptive reuse, serving the neighborhood in a new way such as housing, community space, or for small businesses. Historic preservation can be a key solution to addressing important regional needs such as housing.

Be sure to follow MISHPO's Instagram channel in 2026 for the latest National Register announcements as sites are listed across Michigan!

06/04/2026

Two iconic and historic Michigan lighthouses have been awarded $120,000 in lighthouse preservation grants! Find out which ones in the comment below 👇👇

- with The City of Grand Haven and Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum

06/01/2026

June is Pride Month in Michigan! 🏳️‍🌈 For generations, LGBTQ+ residents have contributed to make Michigan the great place it is today. MISHPO is committed to better recognizing the history of the state’s LGBTQ+ population and celebrating places that have historic significance to this community. But few specific places have been identified or designated in Michigan for their significance in LGBTQ+ heritage.

Michigan’s Statewide Historic Preservation Plan acknowledges this as an area of need. If there’s a special place that matters to you, even if it’s not historic, we’d love to know about what makes it significant or memorable. Drop us a message via the button above, or send an email to [email protected].

You can also participate in a community LGBTQ+ history zine event, such as this one coming up soon near downtown Lansing: https://arts-council-of-greater-lan.locable.com/2026/06/20/555227/lgbtq-zine/