Mills Community House Association
231.882.0591
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Facility Use & Rentals


Note: Mills Hall-upper level is now beige with hardwood floors.
No longer the burgundy and gold shown in some older photos.



VIRTUAL TOUR 
provided by Travers City Tourism

Rental Rates

Mills Meeting Area (lower level)     
Daily:     $125     
 
Mills Hall & Theater (upper level)       
Daily:     $375     

Special Event Package: $950 for 3 days
  • Three days: 9 am 1st day through 6 pm 3rd day.
  • Use of the Mills Hall (upper level).
  • Meeting Space (lower level).
  • Kitchen facilities, full use.

Tables & chairs: available at no extra charge (on-site use). 
MILLS HALL: 60' round tables(15) and upholstered chairs(150).
                       8' rectangular tables are also available.
MEETING SPACE: 8' rectangular tables and folding chairs(50).


Use of refrigerator, freezer, and counters in the kitchen is included with the above rental rates. 

Security Deposit $150
Refundable if rented area is cleaned up after use and no damages are incurred.

Non-Profit Rates:
Contact Mills for rates (Requires proof valid nonprofit EIN)

For more information on rental rates, policies, and availability, call Michelle Leines at ​231-882-0591 
or email millscommhouse@gmail.com.
Hours by appointment only.  
Two locations in the Mills Community House are available for rent: the Meeting Space in the lower level and Mills Hall on the upper level. The middle floor is leased by the Benzonia Public Library and is not available to rent. All areas are handicapped accessible with an elevator serving all three floors. 
Meeting Space features include: 
  • Adjoining kitchen with range, commercial refrigerator, freezer, spacious work area, and direct entrance/exit to the parking area. 
  • Men and women’s restrooms.
  • Banquet seating at 8' rectangular tables with folding chairs accommodates up to 50.
  • Maximum room occupancy is 84.
Mills Hall features include:
  • Banquet seating comfortably accommodates 120 guests at our 60" round tables with upholstered chairs. Rectangular tables (8') are also available.
  • ​Maximum Room Occupancy is 160 (142 open floor area and 18 stage area).
  • Theater style seating will works well with our 150 upholstered chairs. 
  • Refurbished stage with basic stage lighting and sound system.
  • Room-darkening shades.
  • Access to kitchen and restrooms on lower level.
  • Elevator and stair access.​
Kitchen Space includes:
  • Range/oven.
  • Commercial refrigerator.
  • Freezer
  • Spacious work area, and direct entrance/exit to the parking area.
Renter Responsibilities include:
  • All events must end by 11:45 pm including clean-up.
  • All set up and tear down for tables, chairs, etc.
  • Floors: Ensure floors are clean; swept. 
  • Kitchen: All areas used must be cleaned, including counter tops, refrigerator, coffee makers, sinks, stove top, and ovens.
  • Garbage: Place trash in garbage receptacle behind the building.  All trash that doesn’t fit must be removed by renter.
  • Items Brought In: Food, beverages, decorations, and other items brought to the event must be removed from the premises by end of rental period.
The Mills Community House has been available for community use for over 100 years and continues to be a gathering place for a variety of organizations and events. Come visit us to find the best space for your next business or club meeting, party, shower, wedding reception, concert, fund raiser, dance or other special event.

The facility is centrally located in Benzonia on US-31N and near the intersection of
 M-115W.  A large parking lot adjoins the building, with additional parking available nearby. Next to the grounds is a public park with playground, tennis courts, and softball diamonds that are converted to an ice rink in the winter.

PR for events is the responsibility of the renters.
The Mills may place information for public events on website.

ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGE POLICY:
Renters who plan to serve alcoholic beverages at their events will need Host Liquor Liability insurance in the minimum amount of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the event, with Mills Community House Association named as an additional insured. Proof of insurance must be received by Mills House at least 30 days prior to the event.
 
The sale of alcoholic beverages is not permitted without a liquor license issued by the State of Michigan. The Renter agrees to abide by all Federal, State and local laws concerning the sale, service and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the premises.
 
If food is going to be SOLD at your event (includes donation pricing), a Temporary Food Facility permit from the Health Department must be provided at least 30 days prior to the event.

Mills Hall-upper level
Meeting Space-Lower Level

Kitchen-Lower Level
Parking Lot and Reader Board
Parking lot photos courtesy of Brian's Superior Sealcoating www.brianssuperiorsealcoating.com

Before Renovations-Upper Level

EVENTS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

August 2022
​18 The Art of Herbal Tea

September 2022
  8 Academy Lecture: North Manitou Island: The History of Cottage Row
13 Plant Diagnostic Clinic


October 2022
  5 100+ Women Who Care 

Visit Events Page for details>
​Private events are not listed.

100+ Women Who Care 2022
5:30 pm Wednesdays as listed (doors open at 5:00 pm)
April 27, July 27, and October 5
​Visit our 100 + Women Who Care Page for details>

VIRTUAL TOUR 
provided by Travers City Tourism

Location


RENTALS: At the MILLS
Visit Facility Use Page for details:
Meeting Space - lower level
Mills Hall - upper level
All areas are handicap accessible with an elevator serving all three floors.
The Middle floor is NOT available as it is leased by the Benzonia Public Library.


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Mills Community House Association
PO Box 421, ​891 Michigan Ave.
​Benzonia, MI 49616
millscommhouse@gmail.com
​231-882-0591

Michelle Leines, House Manager
​Hours by appointment only.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Donna Brown, Ruth Catton, 
Jimmy McLaren, ​Jane Sullivan,
​Colleen Swartz, and ​Samantha Wolfe.

A 501(c) 3 organization
Tax ID (EIN): 75-2977687

Link to Google Map>
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Make an online DONATION to the
Mills Community House Association
using PayPal Secure Checkout.

Click on the DONATE button which
takes you to our PayPal site where you have the option of using a credit card OR your PayPal account. 
​

ENDOWMENT FUND INFORMATION

Our Mission is to
"provide a venue for arts, cultural, and educational opportunities and experiences in Benzie County through the renovation, preservation, and operation of the historic Mills Community House as a center for these community functions."


Land Acknowledgement
​Benzie county occupies the ancestral, traditional and contemporary lands of Anishinabek people. The Mills Community house recognizes the Anishinabek of the Three Fires Confederacy, the Odawa (Ottawa), Ojibwa (Chippewa), and Bode'wadmi (Potawatomi); historic Indigenous communities in Michigan; and those who were forcibly removed from their homelands. Benzie County occupies land ceded in the treaty of 1855. We give thanks to the Anishinabek as the caretakers of the Earth and for their relationship to the land.