The 1842 Dougherty Mission House opens its 2025 tour season on Wednesday, June 4th. Docents welcome guests Wednesdays through Saturdays from 11 AM to 4 PM.
Explore this restored historic site and learn its story where Old Mission Peninsula earned its name. Discover our ties to the Mission Point Lighthouse.
Contact us at [email protected] if you are interested in reserving time for a group tour.
We look forward to your visit..
Fifteen acres of trails highlighting unusual pure American Chestnut trees are open daily from dawn to dusk, free of charge.
Please contact us at [email protected] to make group tour arrangements.
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To make a gift by check to The Peter Dougherty Historic Home Site, click here to print a Donor Form PDF or click on the “Donate” link to donate by credit card or PayPal. |
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Plan your visit to the
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About Dougherty Mission House
This home was built in 1842 by Reverend Peter Dougherty, a Presbyterian minister, with the help of a Ojibwe village headed by Chief Aghosa. The Mission was supported by the United States pursuant to the Treaty of 1836. By that treaty, the Odawa and Ojibwe ceded 14 million acres of land to the U.S. Michigan Territory, qualifying Michigan to become a State. Dougherty's Mission taught religion, English, carpentry, and blacksmithing pursuant to the treaty with the goal of assimilating the Native Americans in the area into western culture. Under the Treaty of 1836, the United States made payments to the Native Americans in installments over many years, with the final payment being made in the late 1900s.
The Peter Dougherty Society
Beginning in 2004, a group of Old Mission Peninsula residents collaborated with the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, the Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society, the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation and Peninsula Township to raise over $575,000. In 2006, the 1842 home built by Reverend Peter Dougherty, a Presbyterian minister, and surrounding land were acquired. Even more funds were raised to restore the house and property. In July 2006, the home and property were deeded to Peninsula Township, becoming a part of the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, placing the home and property in conservancy.
In 2006, the Peter Dougherty Society was organized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to restore, maintain, and display the home and grounds. The Home and land were placed on the National Register of Historic Places with State significance in 2011, conserving it for future generations.
The home and surrounding grounds required extensive restoration. Now completed, the House site is an historical, cultural, educational and community center as well as a museum for all visitors. The grounds include the Heritage Trail and Accessible Trail as well as gardens which reflect farming in the late 19th Century. We have furnished the interior with furniture and artifacts appropriate to the period from 1842 to 1910.
This website contains more information about the Mission and Old Mission Peninsula, illustrated by photographs and videos. You are invited to look at the entire website, and then to visit the house in Old Mission Village.
In 2006, the Peter Dougherty Society was organized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to restore, maintain, and display the home and grounds. The Home and land were placed on the National Register of Historic Places with State significance in 2011, conserving it for future generations.
The home and surrounding grounds required extensive restoration. Now completed, the House site is an historical, cultural, educational and community center as well as a museum for all visitors. The grounds include the Heritage Trail and Accessible Trail as well as gardens which reflect farming in the late 19th Century. We have furnished the interior with furniture and artifacts appropriate to the period from 1842 to 1910.
This website contains more information about the Mission and Old Mission Peninsula, illustrated by photographs and videos. You are invited to look at the entire website, and then to visit the house in Old Mission Village.
Grand Traverse Look BackWe are on the inaugural episode of The Grand Traverse Area Historical Society podcast: The Grand Traverse Look Back. The episode features Chris Rieser, president of the Peter Dougherty Society, and JoAnne Cook. This podcast touches on the history of the Anishinaabe in the region, trappers, traders, and missionaries—who shaped the area from the beginning.
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The New MissionReverend Dougherty's educational endeavors continued to flourish even as he left the "Old Mission" behind and started his new mission, Grove Hill School. His insistence on bi-lingual education separated Grove Hill from Government and other Church run boarding schools of the time—the involvement of parents also places Grove Hill in a class of its own. Learn more at the Omena Historical Society blog.
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Dougherty Mission House News
Pavilion Dedication
On Sunday, July 9, 2023 the Peter Dougherty Society officially opened the Cole Pavilion to the public. The structure is named in honor of William "Bill" Cole, former President of the Peter Dougherty Society. Bill was a passionate supporter of preserving the story of the Dougherty House, and its place in the history of the Old Mission Peninsula, for generations to come. The Pavilion was built by community volunteers with funds which were donated in memory of Bill.
On Sunday, July 9, 2023 the Peter Dougherty Society officially opened the Cole Pavilion to the public. The structure is named in honor of William "Bill" Cole, former President of the Peter Dougherty Society. Bill was a passionate supporter of preserving the story of the Dougherty House, and its place in the history of the Old Mission Peninsula, for generations to come. The Pavilion was built by community volunteers with funds which were donated in memory of Bill.
Featured on 9 & 10
Learn about the history of Northern Michigan at Dougherty Mission House in this article on 9 & 10 news.
Learn about the history of Northern Michigan at Dougherty Mission House in this article on 9 & 10 news.
Spring 2023
The Peter Dougherty Society group of volunteers at the 1842 Dougherty Mission House have been busy preparing for the 2023 Tour Season. We welcomed home Maria Dougherty’s spinning wheel on loan from the Leelanau Historical Society in Leland. Maria would have used this during the 1840s and early 1850s in the Dougherty Mission House before taking it to Omena. Elizabeth Adams, Engagement and Collections Manager for the Museum brought it home. She credits her interest in history to her time as an archeological dig intern at the Dougherty Mission House. We appreciate Laura Johnson’s spinning wheel expertise on this project.
New visiting displays will feature the early Inns of the Old Mission Peninsula. Featured will be the Old Mission Inn, The Pines, and the Neahtawanta Inn. JoAnn Cole, Tom Dalluge, and Chris Rieser created the display with the help of the Inns’ owners and families. The Dougherty Mission House was an Inn until 1916.
The Peter Dougherty Society group of volunteers at the 1842 Dougherty Mission House have been busy preparing for the 2023 Tour Season. We welcomed home Maria Dougherty’s spinning wheel on loan from the Leelanau Historical Society in Leland. Maria would have used this during the 1840s and early 1850s in the Dougherty Mission House before taking it to Omena. Elizabeth Adams, Engagement and Collections Manager for the Museum brought it home. She credits her interest in history to her time as an archeological dig intern at the Dougherty Mission House. We appreciate Laura Johnson’s spinning wheel expertise on this project.
New visiting displays will feature the early Inns of the Old Mission Peninsula. Featured will be the Old Mission Inn, The Pines, and the Neahtawanta Inn. JoAnn Cole, Tom Dalluge, and Chris Rieser created the display with the help of the Inns’ owners and families. The Dougherty Mission House was an Inn until 1916.
Peter Dougherty Society Board of Directors
Jim Brammer
Tom Dalluge
Barb Hansen, Secretary
Isaiah Wunsch, Township Supervisor
Jim McWilliams, Treasurer
David Taylor, Vice President
Chris Rieser, President
Tom Dalluge
Barb Hansen, Secretary
Isaiah Wunsch, Township Supervisor
Jim McWilliams, Treasurer
David Taylor, Vice President
Chris Rieser, President
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Peter Dougherty Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
PO Box 101, Old Mission, MI 49673 Email: [email protected] |