The Campaign for Fishtown – The Final Lift

Report from the Docks

It’s hard to believe, but it has been more than five years since the Campaign for Fishtown began. And what a fundraising effort these five years have been, ever-changing with the high water and other challenges, but culminating in The Final Lift of August 31, 2022.

We are proud to let you know that we met our goal. We are waiting for the dust to settle, then look forward to sharing a full Campaign report by the end of the year, where we’ll honor everyone who has been a part of the Campaign and give highlights of the work that has been done the past three years, as well as the extensive work that remains to be done. The real highlights, though, are the incredible construction crews who have done and will continue to do the work over the coming year that the Campaign is funding, and everyone who contributed financially to make this monumental effort possible.

After all of this – we can’t wait to celebrate with everyone in 2023!

Campaign for Fishtown information:

Keeping Fishtown here for future generations.

Few commercial fishing sites still exist on the Great Lakes and Fishtown is unique as a place that both attracts a large number of visitors and remains a working waterfront with an active commercial fishery. Since 2007, Fishtown Preservation has built an effective and successful historic preservation organization and has been devoted to the care of Fishtown. 

With the wrapping of the Campaign for Fishtown, Fishtown Preservation is now poised to embrace the opportunities of the future. The Campaign for Fishtown is a comprehensive campaign that consolidated Fishtown’s most pressing needs, including:

• Rehabilitate eight structures, the shanties housing the Village Cheese Shanty, Carlson’s Fishery, and Diversions, as well as the Ice House, the Morris Shanty, The Otherside, Welcome Center and Dam Candy;
• Resolve infrastructure issues related to water flow, update utilities, improve public access to the site, and reintroduce native species to the landscape;
• Repay the final installment of the debt incurred in connection with the acquisition of our Fishtown properties(completed 2019);
• Build an endowment to ensure that Fishtown Preservation can protect and care for Fishtown now and into the future.

High water levels and increased flow over the Leland Dam beginning spring 2019 exacerbated structural issues to shanties that were already in critical condition (Village Cheese, Carlson’s Fishery, Morris Shanty) at the same time as causing damage to additional structures (Ice House, Otherside, Diversions, Welcome Center, Dam Candy). The water levels have now gone down from their record-breaking highs of 2020, but the damage was extensive. We are not only making repairs, but are also preparing for future high waters.

Those that helped fund the project are part of a dedicated group of individuals, families and foundations who are preserving one of Michigan’s greatest treasures. Fishtown is a place where generations come and where the past and future are both alive.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• What Fishtown site projects have been completed and remain to be done?
• How do I make a pledge to the Campaign?
• Is there donor recognition?
• Can you give me more details about the Campaign for Fishtown?
• How do I make a planned gift?

Fishtown Preservation will be recognizing all gifts to the Campaign for Fishtown in our newsletter. Gifts of $100 and more, will be presented on a temporary donor recognition panel displayed in Fishtown for the 2023 season.

Gifts of $20,000 or more will be honored on our permanent donor wall in Fishtown. The display will be integrated into the design of the reconfigured rock wall and entrance area.

Donor wall recognition levels:

$1,000,000+

$500,000-999,999

$250,000-499,999

$100,000-249,999

$50,000-99,999

$20,000-49,999

For more information about donor recognition in Fishtown click here.

If you have questions about making a gift, would like to review your past gifts to FPS, or would like to discuss naming Fishtown Preservation in your planned giving, please contact Amanda Holmes, aholmes@fishtownmi.org, 231-256-8878.