SAUGATUCK-DOUGLAS HISTORICAL SOCIETY

What SAUGATUCK-DOUGLAS HISTORICAL SOCIETY does

The Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society, operating as the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center (SDHC), is an independent nonprofit organization that preserves and interprets the local history of the Saugatuck-Douglas area in Michigan's lakeshore region. The organization operates two primary physical sites — the History Center in Downtown Douglas (130 Center Street) and the History Museum at Mount Baldhead Park in Saugatuck (735 Park Street) — as well as the Demarest Fishing Shanty historic site and a self-guided Douglas Walking Tour. Its core products include rotating exhibitions (current examples include 'Collecting the Lakeshore,' 'The Lure of Mount Baldhead,' 'A Century of Progress' documenting LGBTQ history, and the permanent installation 'Rowing Them Safely Home'), an online searchable catalog of archival collections, genealogical research services, historical maps, and a calendar of educational events and lectures.

The organization has no proprietary technology systems; its digital footprint is a WordPress-based website and a Square-powered online shop selling merchandise, books, and historical items. Revenue is generated through a mixed-model approach: recurring annual membership fees, tax-deductible donations and sponsorships, transaction-based retail merchandise sales, event and lecture ticket revenue, and grants from government and foundation sources including the Michigan Arts & Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. It serves four primary customer segments: local residents of Saugatuck-Douglas and surrounding Michigan lakeshore communities, tourists and visitors to the area resort market, genealogists and researchers using the archives, and supporters/sponsors contributing to local preservation. The organization employed 6 staff and recognized the Candid (GuideStar) Gold Transparency 2023 designation.

Name

SAUGATUCK-DOUGLAS HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Legal name

Saugatuck-Douglas History Center

Website

https://sdhistoricalsociety.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society is a Michigan nonprofit that preserves and interprets local history through two museum sites, exhibitions, walking tours, archival research, and educational events. It serves local residents, tourists, genealogists, and donors through memberships, donations, retail, and grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Historical Museum and Heritage Preservation Services

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Historical Sites (712120), Libraries and Archives (51921)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI), Museum & Landmark Guided Tours (Skip-the-line/Docent-led) (THAJAAAC), Archaeological Sites & Heritage Interpretation Centers (THAJADAG), Archives, Special Collections & Preservation Operations (Rare Materials, Conservation) (EDAEAGAJ)

Keywords

• Local history preservation
• Historical museum exhibitions
• Genealogical research services
• Community heritage programming
• Cultural tourism tours

Headquarters

HQ city

Douglas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership program offering various tiers with benefits such as free admission, exclusive events, and discounts at the museum shop.
2. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from individuals, families, and businesses supporting local history preservation.
3. Retail Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling historical items, books, and memorabilia. Products available through the Square e-commerce platform.
4. Event Revenue: Revenue from paid events, lectures, and special programs including sponsorships from local businesses.
5. Government and Foundation Grants: Funding from Michigan Arts & Culture Council and National Endowment for the Arts supporting operations and exhibitions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society operates as a local history museum and preservation organization, running two physical museum locations (the History Center in Downtown Douglas and the History Museum at Mount Baldhead Park), the Demerest Fishing Shanty historic site, and the Douglas Walking Tour. It delivers exhibitions, an online archival catalog, historical maps, genealogical research services, lectures and community events, and supports operations through memberships, donations, sponsorships, grants, and merchandise sales.

Product overview

The Saugatuck-Douglas History Center operates as a unified local history preservation organization offering physical museum experiences at two main locations—the History Center in Downtown Douglas and the History Museum at Mount Baldhead Park—alongside additional historic sites including the Demerest Fishing Shanty. The organization provides digital research services through its Online Catalog and Maps collection, educational programming via exhibitions and genealogy services, community engagement through its Events program, and membership/volunteer opportunities. The product portfolio centers on in-person historical interpretation, archival access, and educational programming rather than software or technology products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• History Center in Downtown Douglas

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Regional players

• Holland Area Historical Society / Holland Museum: Nearby Michigan lakeshore historical society operating a museum with collections, exhibits, and educational programming in Holland, MI. Directly comparable small-staff nonprofit model serving a similar West Michigan lakeshore community and tourism base.
• Michigan Maritime Museum: South Haven, MI-based museum focused on Great Lakes maritime history with exhibits, vessels, and educational programs. Comparable small nonprofit museum serving a similar West Michigan seasonal tourism audience and preserving regional history.
• Allegan County Historical Society: County-level historical society preserving local history in the same West Michigan region as Saugatuck-Douglas. Operates a museum and archives with comparable size, mission, and community-based governance structure.
• Ottawa County Parks & Recreation - Historic Sites: Local government operator of historic sites and parks in the West Michigan region, including properties near Saugatuck-Douglas. Comparable county-level operator of small historical sites and trails serving the same regional tourism base.

Broad incumbents

• Grand Rapids Public Museum: Larger Michigan-based museum with broader collections, exhibits, and educational programming. Comparable nonprofit museum operating model and similar West Michigan regional draw, but at significantly larger scale and with more institutional capacity.
• Cranbrook Institute of Science: Michigan-based museum with permanent and rotating exhibits, educational programs, and community engagement. Comparable nonprofit museum operating model with exhibits and educational programming, though at a larger scale and broader geographic reach.
• Historical Society of Michigan: Statewide umbrella organization supporting local historical societies across Michigan. Comparable nonprofit historical-preservation mission and member-supported funding model, with broader geographic scope.

Direct peers

• Castine Historical Society: Small town-based historical society operating museums, historic house properties, and walking tours in a coastal resort town. Closely comparable operating model, staff size, revenue mix (memberships, donations, events), and tourism-dependent community context.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@saugatuck-douglashistoryce6071
• Facebookfacebook.com/205230672858388
• Instagraminstagram.com/sd_historycenter
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/saugatuck-douglas-historical-society

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SAUGATUCK-DOUGLAS HISTORICAL SOCIETY