From left, Laura Lesich, Fraser Mayor Michael Lesich, Marti VanEenenaam-Iwanicki, Vania Apps and Sue Bertolini-Fox pose for a photo with the President’s Award the Baumgartner House Museum received from Keep Michigan Beautiful Inc.
By: Nick Powers | Fraser-Clinton Chronicle | Published October 31, 2024
FRASER — The Baumgartner House Museum received a President’s Award for historic preservation from Keep Michigan Beautiful Inc. in an Oct. 11 ceremony.
Fraser resident Vania Apps, who founded the Fraser First Booster Club, nominated the museum for the award. Marti VanEenenaam-Iwanicki, a member of the Fraser Historical Commission, accepted the award at the ceremony at the Bavarian Inn in Frankenmuth.
“We think that every community needs something to be proud of, to learn from and to enjoy,” Apps is quoted as saying in the press release.
VanEenenaam-Iwanicki said that the award is the highest achievement the organization gives out for preservation. The award was for the work that the Historical Commission did to keep up its grounds.
“It was all about the outside,” VanEenenaam-Iwanicki said in an interview after the ceremony. “No individual houses or no interiors were allowed in the application.”
The museum grounds feature a Michigan wildflower garden that was started in 1995, shortly after the barn was erected on the property. Since that time, VanEenenaam-Iwanicki said it has become a master gardener project and has had volunteer support.
“We’re very proud to be a part of keeping Fraser beautiful and also keeping Michigan beautiful,” VanEenenaam-Iwanicki said. “It kind of awards the volunteer efforts over so many years.”
The Baumgartner House was built in 1875 by John C. Baumgartner. According to a press release from the museum, it is the oldest house in Fraser and will celebrate 150 years in 2025. The 1-acre property, which was originally an 80-acre homestead, now includes the museum, Depot Visitor Center, Hemme Barn and Samantha’s Garden.
Fraser Eagle Scout Myron Kruzel won the Michigan Award from the organization at the event. He got the award for contributing to beautification efforts at the McKinley Sensory Garden Arbor.
Keep Michigan Beautiful Inc. is an organization that morphed from a committee founded in 1962 by Michigan Gov. John B. Swainson. The organization, at its outset, was devoted to combating litter in Michigan. It’s grown since that time to encompass other beautification efforts throughout the state.
The museum will have its next open house and pre-Christmas sale Nov. 3 from 1 to 4 p.m., featuring free tours of the Baumgartner House. Proceeds from the sale benefit the museum.
The Baumgartner House Museum is located at 18577 Masonic Blvd. in Fraser. It is open for free tours on the first Sunday of each month, excluding January and July. For more information, email martivani3@yahoo.com.