Courtesy Photo Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union representatives present the first installment of a $10,000 donation to Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan for the “Discover Northeast Michigan History” exhibit, set to open by the end of the year. Pictured, from left, are AAACU team members Ann Genschaw and Angie Szatkowski, Besser Museum Collections Manager Sarah Honeycutt, Besser Museum Executive Director Chris Witulski, AAACU Marketing Director LeAnn Schultz, and AAACU team members Jamie Quick and Patti Prittie.

ALPENA — Raising $1.8 million to renovate Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan’s history exhibit area, which has not been significantly updated in more than 50 years, is a huge undertaking, but leading community institution Alpena Alcona Area Credit Union is stepping up to deliver on this challenge.

AAACU’s Marketing Director LeAnn Schultz and several of her team members joined Besser Museum Director Christine Witulski and Collections Manager Sarah Honeycutt to present the first check of a $10,000 pledge to support the “Discover Northeast Michigan History” exhibit.

“While we have already raised more than a million dollars to date, we still have nearly $400,00 dollars left to raise in the next few months,” Witulski said. “This will be the toughest part of the fundraising to make this amazing new asset to our community a reality. When LeAnn called to let me know AAACU had decided to make this major gift, I was absolutely elated.”

Witulski explained the significance of the new exhibit.

“This is a legacy project that will be here for another 50 years or more,” she continued. “We truly need everyone to help make it possible. It will be like nothing else in Northern Michigan — highly interactive and engaging, using the latest technology to tell the stories of the people, events, and innovation that have made our community what it is today.”

Schultz emphasized that AAACU staff and leadership recognize the vital role Besser Museum plays in connecting local families and students with the region’s history, art and culture.

“The museum sparks curiosity and wonderment about our region and the universe around us,” Schultz said. “The next generation of entrepreneurs, inventors, and creative minds may be inspired by what they discover at the museum today.”

She said residents and visitors alike will enjoy all that the new exhibit has to offer.

“Visitors to our community are always amazed that a community the size of Alpena has a local museum with internationally recognized artists and historical artifacts, as well as a digital planetarium,” Schultz said. “We hope AAACU’s $10,000 donation will inspire other financial institutions, businesses, and individuals to step up and support the Besser Museum’s commitment to sharing our rich history and culture, fostering community pride, and strengthening our connection to each other.”

Once the renovation is completed by the end of 2024, a generous gift by Robert and Jacquelyn Granum will provide for the ongoing upkeep of the exhibit through an endowment held at the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan.

“We are so fortunate to have visionaries like the Bessers and the Granums to ensure our historical treasures and stories will be preserved in perpetuity,” said Witulski.

It’s not too late to make a gift to this important endeavor, knowing that you will be contributing to a community legacy project that will be around for many generations to come. Interested donors are encouraged to stop by the museum to see firsthand the expanse of the new exhibit plans and how you, your family, or business can be part of this important initiative.

For more information, contact Christine Witulski by phone at 989-657-6564 or email at cwitulski@bessermuseum.org, or visit the museum at 491 Johnson St., Alpena, or online at bessermuseum.org.