Mills Community House Association
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Facility Use & Rentals

VIRTUAL TOUR 
provided by Travers City Tourism

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
*New rates coming 2024

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.

Optional Set up Fee: $75.00 for tables and chairs only.
​
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)

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 195 standing 
  • Theater/lecture seating can seat 150 with our upholstered chairs. 
  • Stage with basic stage lighting and sound system can hold 18 on risers (not included).  Head tables on stage will seat 8.
  • Room-darkening shades.
  • Access to kitchen and restrooms on lower level.
  • Elevator and stair access.​
Kitchen Space information:
Includes:
  • Range/oven 
  • Commercial refrigerator
  • Freezer
  • Spacious work area, and direct entrance/exit to the parking area
Does NOT have:
  • Pots, pans, utensils, etc. Caterer or renter must bring their own supplies
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

June
​
 8 Academy Lecture: Car Ferries in Ice
​13 Plant Diagnostic Clinic
21 Plant It Wild
22 BPL Summer Reading Program
24-26 Benzie County Community Chorus Summer Concert Series
​28 Maureen Esther: HistoryTeller
​29 BPL Summer Reading Program

July
 6 BPL Summer Reading Program
​
11 Plant Diagnostic Clinic
13 BPL Summer Reading Program

​13 Academy Lecture
15-17 Benzie County Community Chorus Summer Concert Series
18 Blood Drive
19 Plant It Wild 
20 BPL Summer Reading Program
​26 100+ Women Who Care
​27 BPL Summer Reading Program
29 BPL Book and Puzzle Sale

August
​10 Academy Lecture
​16 Plant Diagnostic Clinic
​23 Making Teas and Tinctures


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Mills Community House Association
​891 Michigan Ave.
PO Box 421

​Benzonia, MI 49616
millscommhouse@gmail.com
​231-882-0591

Walk In Office Hours
Mondays 10-2* or 
​by appointment.

*Excludes holidays and overlapping events

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Donna Brown, Ruth Catton, 

Jimmy McLaren, ​Jane Sullivan,
​Colleen Swartz, ​Samantha Wolfe

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Kristin Fleetwood
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A 501(c) 3 organization
Tax ID (EIN): 75-2977687

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.

  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Board and Staff
    • History
    • Noteworthy at the Mills
    • Newsletters
    • Venue Photo Gallery
  • Events
    • Upcoming Public Events
    • Partnerships >
      • 100+ Women Who Care Benzie
      • Benzie Area Historical Society
      • Benzonia Public Library
      • Versiti Blood Center
      • ZONTA
  • Rentals
  • Ways to Give
    • Volunteer
    • Brick Fundraiser
    • Endowment Fund
    • IRA Charitable Rollover
  • Contact Us