Category Archives: history
Capturing CAL History at the Grand Hotel
Michigan State University College of Arts & Letters – Arts Weekend June 28-30. Nineteen years ago, the College of Arts and Letters at Michigan State University took over the Grand Hotel to host what would become the first of almost a decade of yearly events devoted to celebrating the Arts. Since then, the College of [...]
THREE DECADES OF LIVING HISTORY OVER 18 INNINGS
The vintage base ball games at Grand Hotel on May 18th will not only include 19th century base ball but also will represent three decades of historic interpretation on Mackinac Island. Brian “BT” Thomas, a fielder for the Monitor Base Ball Club, was a historical interpreter at Fort Mackinac during the 1990s. He served faithfully [...]
Opening Day Letter From Hotel President Dan Musser III
Last year in my season opening blog, I was excited about celebrating our 125th anniversary. It was a wonderful celebration that was worthy of this grand old building. Time marches on and I am very excited about the 2013 season. For as long as I can remember, I have always thought Grand Hotel was the [...]
Margaret’s Garden and Grand Hotel Shops – New Location and New Items for 2013
With the exciting addition of Sadie’s Ice Cream Parlor this year Margaret’s Garden has found a new home just inside the hotel across from both Astor’s Salon and Spa and Grand Hotel & Co. Fine Jewelry. Carleton Varney (President of the decorating firm Dorothy Draper & Company, and our favorite designer) has come up with [...]
Vintage Baseball 2013
BARE HANDERS TO RETURN BUT GRAND HOTEL WON’T FREEZE THE POOL There is talk of spring and baseball at Grand Hotel as March comes into view and the professional clubs play their spring training games. The talk around the maintenance department break table is of the Tigers. Painters can be heard talking about starting pitching [...]
Mackinac Island Establishes Two Historic Districts
MACKINAC ISLAND TAKES STEPS TO ENSURE NATIONAL LANDMARK STATUS MACKINAC ISLAND, MI: Two new historic districts have been established on Mackinac Island by the City Council in an effort to preserve the historic charm of one of the nation’s most popular vacation destinations. R.D. Musser III, President of Grand Hotel, and a City Council [...]
Titanic Weekend 2013
Join us May 3-5, as our Titanic package offers you a “Weekend to Remember”. The 2013 season brings you a new opportunity to remember the Titanic tragedy with greater detail. The weekend kicks off on Friday with a special screening of A Night To Remember. This 1958 movie has been highly regarded by historians [...]
Dan Musser to receive honorary Doctor of Business degree
On Saturday, December 15, 2012, Grand Hotel president Dan Musser will deliver the keynote speech during Norther Michigan University’s mid-year commencement. He will also be presented with an honorary Doctor of Business degree by the university, and below is the official press release prepared by Kristi Evans of NMU. Monday, Dec. 10, 2012 GRAND [...]
A Grand Goodbye to the 125th Anniversary Season
The final days of the 125th season were as memorable and historic as the season itself. On Sunday guests staying for the Somewhere In Time weekend were ready to depart as the Close the Grand guests arrived mid-Afternoon. The weekend was sunny and brisk as people enjoyed their last bike rides around the island, shopping [...]
The 125th Anniversary Season Comes to an End
As the 125th Anniversary Season comes to an end, we find ourselves remembering all the fun we have had over the past 6 months. From the Titanic Weekend package we opened with in May to the Somewhere In Time package we are closing with this weekend, we enjoyed seeing so many old friends and making new ones as [...]
