Fishtown Preservation
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Home
  • Events
    • Fishtown in Lights 2025
    • 2025 Friends of Fishtown 5K
  • Visit | Stay
    • Shanties
    • Fish Tugs
    • Fishtown Shops and Charters
    • Art Shanty 2025
      • 2025 Art Shanty Lineup
      • Art Shanty Opportunity 2025
    • Native Plants in Fishtown
    • Fishtown’s Vacation Rental—The Otherside
    • Photo Galleries
    • Our Community
    • Directions and Map
  • About
    • Fishtown Board
      • Honoring Kathryn Eckert Omoto, 1935-2022 – by Berkley W. Duck
    • Fishtown Staff
    • Commercial Fishing Today and Q & A
    • Internships
    • FAQs
    • Our Partners
    • Fishtown Newsletters
    • News from Fishtown
    • Media / Press Coverage
  • Support
    • Donate to Fishtown
    • Become an Anchor
    • Our Business Anchors
    • Van Raalte House Purchase and Renovation
    • Get Involved
  • Fishtown Forever
  • Contact
Navigation
Search the site...
Slider does not exist.

We Are Fishtown Preservation

What Is Fishtown

Fishtown is a collection of weathered fishing shanties, smokehouses, overhanging docks, fish tugs and charter boats along the Leland River in Leland, Michigan. The heart of a commercial fishing village, Fishtown is where we can still see and feel a connection to the long tradition of Great Lakes maritime culture.

Learn More

What We Do

Fishtown Preservation Society exists to assure public access to Fishtown and to maintain its historical integrity, working waterfront, artifacts and stories through preservation, education and stewardship.

Learn More

You Can Help

Few places are as real as Fishtown. Here we can preserve a living link to a long Great Lakes maritime heritage, as well as to our own families and memories. We want to ensure that Fishtown remains alive for future generations. Your participation will make all the difference for Fishtown.

Learn More

Follow us on Instagram

fishtownmi

Fishtown Preservation a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that preserves and manages the Historic Fishtown site. For more info and to donate visit:

We’re thrilled to see our Match Challenge for Fi We’re thrilled to see our Match Challenge for Fishtown’s future home at the Van Raalte House in the news! A big thank-you to Ethan Foreman and 7&4 News @upnorthlive for helping us share our story and inspire support. 
Donation Link in bio: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=FWSLSMP5EJPLS

See the 7&4 article and coverage here:
https://upnorthlive.com/news/local/community-raising-funds-to-restore-protect-home-near-fishtown
Mornin' ❤ from Fishtown Mornin'
❤ from Fishtown
Gorgeous day to be in the neighborhood! If you are Gorgeous day to be in the neighborhood! If you are, be sure to stop into Tug Stuff - they are open through the 30th and have a sale going on all the best tug gear!
ITS FALL FRENZY in Leland and Fishtown — October ITS FALL FRENZY in Leland and Fishtown — October 24 - 26
Leland and Fishtown are celebrating the season with Fall Frenzy—a weekend full of festive fun, great deals, and fall vibes!
 
Stop by the Fishtown Welcome Center Friday and Saturday for 30% off most items, all while supporting the preservation of historic Fishtown.

Most Fishtown businesses wrap up for the season after Fall Frenzy weekend, while others may stay open through the end of the month. Call individual shops for hours—visit our directory: https://www.fishtownmi.org/visit/shops-and-charters/ 

There’s even more happening around Leland! From trick-or-treating in local shops to games and a Halloween movie at the Old Art Building, there’s fun for the whole family. Visit the Leland Chamber of Commerce website for all the details on participating shops and events. https://www.lelandmi.org/events-calendar/leland-fall-frenzy-1
A Match Challenge for the Van Raalte House! Three A Match Challenge for the Van Raalte House!
Three long-time supporters of FPS who are inspired by this vision for Fishtown’s future are pledging $120,000 as a 1:1 match challenge!

Your gift towards this project not only helps protect Fishtown and will help transform the work of this organization, it also preserves the character of Leland and the Leland River. We hope that you will join us in helping to make this foundational opportunity come to life — AND your gift will be matched, dollar for dollar!

Please visit our website for more information about the Van Raalte House as the future home of Fishtown Preservation ~ link in bio OR go to https://www.fishtownmi.org/van-raalte-house-purchase-and-renovation/
The team from Shine was on site first thing this m The team from Shine was on site first thing this morning getting lights installed!

If you're interested in getting a holiday glow up for your home or business, give them a call—they are top notch!
https://shine-windowcleaning.com/holiday-lighting/
We are excited to announce that Fishtown Preservat We are excited to announce that Fishtown Preservation will be lighting the Fishtown shanty rooftops in December to celebrate the completion of the projects made possible by the Campaign for Fishtown—more than seven years of work and repairs to save Fishtown from the impact of the recent high water.

Save the Date for the initial lighting
Friday, December 12, 2025 | 5:30pm | in Fishtown
Lights will be turned on at 6:00pm
Music | Refreshments | Lighting Ceremony

Lights will be displayed nightly through January 5, 5:00pm-10:00pm

Want to see your family or business name amidst the lights—Be a sponsor! For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Summer Meyer at smeyer@fishtownmi.org or call 231-256-8878.
As our final Art Shanty artists of the year, we’ As our final Art Shanty artists of the year, we’re thrilled to welcome back Larissa McGinnity and Mark Engelsman of St. James Pottery to Fishtown. Hailing from Beaver Island, Larissa and Mark bring a stunning mix of hand-thrown and wheel-thrown pottery, with glazes seemingly inspired by the charm and character of nature and life by the water.  From everyday favorites to pieces made especially for tug lovers, each creation is a one-of-a-kind treasure.

Visit through October 20th to see their beautiful ceramics up close!
Follow on Instagram
(c) 2013 Fishtown Preservation - Web Design by History By Design and Alyeska.
  • Log In
  • Sitemap
  • Archives
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • DONATE