Cheboygan’s Annual Toast Our Town Raises Awareness for Historic Preservation

The 4th Annual Toast Our Town event in Cheboygan took place on New Year’s Day.

The event is meant to raise awareness for historic preservation throughout the community.

This year, the Cheboygan County History Museum partnered with the Cheboygan Carnegie and Historic St. Charles Church.

More than 200 New Year’s Day revelers enjoyed music, toasts, speeches and camaraderie in the historic former St. Charles Church.

Speakers stressed the need to appreciate Cheboygan’s remaining historic properties, and to support the fundraising efforts to restore them.

The three historic Cheboygan properties receive funding only through donations.

Mary Hebert, owner of the Cheboygan Carnegie, is on hold for a $1.6 million renovation to the building, while trying to cobble together grants in order to get the Carnegie fully functional.

Kay Forster, Board President of the Cheboygan County History Museum, is hoping to raise awareness for the sheriff’s residence and jail which currently has a leaking roof.

Bill Price, new owner of the long-shuttered St. Charles Church, would like to bring the historic property back to use in the community.

All money raised at the event will be split evenly among the three properties.