Bessemer Area Historical Society reports 215 visitors in 2025; DDA extends lease and will seek roof bids

Lisa Verhelst, secretary of the Bessemer Area Historical Society, presented the society’s annual report at the Downtown Development Authority meeting on July 8. Verhelst said the museum recorded 215 visitors in 2025 and was open 39 days (Memorial Day through Labor Day plus Pumpkinfest Saturday). She noted the society is staffed entirely by volunteers and compiles a newsletter in the fall and spring; memberships are accepted year-round.

After the presentation the DDA voted to extend the society’s lease through Dec. 31, 2027. Board members also discussed the condition of the society’s furnace and roof and authorized staff to solicit bids to replace the roof and insulate the ceiling. The board’s motion to seek bids passed on a roll-call vote.

The society’s report was presented as informational; no direct funding beyond bid solicitation and lease approval was authorized at the meeting. The DDA did, however, approve several other small downtown expenditures during the session, including a façade assistance award to Lazy Grasshopper and routine streetscape and recreation purchases. The historical society is run by volunteers and Verhelst encouraged continued community support through memberships and newsletter participation.