Savor Pentwater’s fascinating history this summer.

Savor Pentwater’s fascinating history this summer.

By Ron Beeber, Contributing Writer.

PENTWATER — Everyone who knows Pentwater loves it, but having an appreciation for our community’s rich history makes residing or visiting here even better. And the Pentwater Historical Society is offering five ways to learn. PHS docents volunteer their time and don’t accept gratuities, but they happily accept donations to the museum, which operates entirely on the public’s generosity.

The Historical Museum at First and Rutledge streets is now open from 1-4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays through August, and Thursdays through Saturdays in September. Bring your cellphone and earbuds to hear short Guide by Cell narrations that describe 60 topics on display. New this year are exhibits that recognize and celebrate our village police department and area fire department. 

The popular, one-hour Pentwater History Cruise should begin before the end of June and will be offered Tuesdays through Saturdays at 2:45 p.m., departing from the water taxi’s Third Street Dock. The $10 ticket pays for boat operation. Reservation requests to purchase tickets in advance and guarantee a seat on the boat should be emailed to pentwaterwatertaxi@gmail.com. Be sure to include your name, phone number, preferred cruise date, and number of passengers. Your reservation request will be followed up by phone. Walk-ups are welcome if there’s room. The latest information is posted on the Pentwater Water Taxi, and Pentwater Historical Museum pages on Facebook. When cruises begin, the public will be informed on these two Facebook pages. 

New this summer is a weekly “History on Hancock” one-hour walking tour on Saturdays at 11 a.m., now through September. It’s a free, six-block, docent-led stroll down Hancock Street, with historical commentary along the way. Attendees should just gather just before 11 a.m. in the Village Marina parking lot at Sixth and Hancock streets. You’ll be ready for lunch afterwards.

Also new in 2022 is a “History on the Green” narrative by a docent on Fridays at 11 a.m., now through September.  It’s the one-hour history cruise commentary, presented free, on dry land. Why not grab a coffee or tea from one of the nearby businesses? Gather just before 11 a.m. on the Village Green, near the shed in which folding chairs for Thursday band concerts are stored. Or bring a lawn chair.  After the program, have lunch somewhere and discuss what you just learned. 

And from July 7 to August 1, a free 90-minute Architectural Walking Tour will be offered every Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Meet at the museum just before 10:30. No reservations are needed, but each group will be comfortably limited to the first 20 who show up.

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