We seek to preserve and promote the historical legacy of art and dedication to craft in Idlewild by protecting and preserving historical spaces within the community. 

 

These spaces are also places to come together and experience a living history museum. Living history museums are cultural spaces that recreate historical settings to provide an interpretation of history that people can interact and live with. 

 

Idlewild is a black resort town in North Michigan, established in 1912 on the unceeded lands of the Potawatomi. With the help of the local indigenous community black laborers, craftspeople, farmers, and intellectuals protected a sanctuary space that was at risk of settler colonial practices. Instead, Idlewild flourished as a sanctuary space, the perfect incubator for creativity in all its forms! 

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Due to the magnitude and impact of the Idlewild community, most black people will be able to find a connection to this tiny community in rural Michigan. We commit to working with community members to preserve and share their archives in the ways they desire and in ways that increase the chances of connecting with the broader black community.

 

We are committed to sharing the archives so that people can access the rich stories and lessons of Idlewild so that the stories and Idlewild live on. We also commit to ensuring that money generated from Idlewild gets invested back into Idlewild where it is needed in open and transparent ways, to benefit the community and build on the legacy of a sustainable cooperative economy.