Fort de Buade Museum

Last month marked the end of 334 N. State Street’s life as Fort de Buade Museum. So how about a little history? The building was constructed by Chester Wing in 1910, becoming the 1st car garage in St. Ignace. It operated as the Wings Garage until 1956. Ten years later, Dr. Donald Benson, DDS founded the Mighty-Mac Broadcasting Company and licensed the 940 AM radio station WIDG, “Widge by the Bridge.” The station went dark on July 30, 1979. During the 1980s, the building housed a State Farm Insurance office and an ice cream shop. Eventually, the Wings Garage building was transformed into the Fort de Buade Museum, founded by Donald Benson and displayed his personal collection of Native American, Fur Trade, and historic firearms. Items were purchased at flea markets, trade shows, auctions, and even garage sales. A few years after Benson’s death, the recently reorganized Michilimackinac Historical Society began managing the museum and helping it grow. After 100 years, the building started showing its age and became a hazard for people and the collection. Today, the building is awaiting its next incarnation. Now we say good-bye to a place that held so much history.