Frankenmuth’s cultural resources celebrate people, places and things.  If interested, you can find unlimited opportunities for celebrating community heritage, volunteering in a community event or serving one’s neighborhood or church. 

Frankenmuth Historic Association

While today’s Bavarian influence is largely concentrated in the commercial districts, Frankenmuther’s appreciate their cultural heritage through the work of the Frankenmuth Historical Association (FHA). 

The Frankenmuth Historical Association strives to preserve, communicate,and celebrate the unique heritage of Frankenmuth and the surrounding Franken colonies.  FHA operates a seven-gallery museum detailing the history and evolution of the community, a collections department housing thousands of artifacts and documents, an education department dedicated to presenting our story, and unique gift shop offering locally crafted and European goods.  In addition, the association owns and operates the historic Fischer Hall (attached to the museum), built in the 1890’s, hosting concerts, parties, and local civic events, the Nickless-Hubinger flour mill and the authentic Wolkensdörfer log house on the outskirts of town.  The Mill is now home to the Lager Mill, a craft-brew retail outlet with hundreds of bottles of internationally crafted beer for sale and the soon to open Brewing Museum.  Guided by a Board of Directors, FHA tirelessl works to chronicle the lives of Frankenmuthers from the time of the Native American settlment to wildnerness outpost to bustling crossroads and small village to the City we know today.

 Frankenmuth District Library  

The Frankenmuth District Library boasts one of the highest circulation counts in the State for a library in a community of this size.  The district's area is the same as the Frankenmuth School District including all of the City and Township of Frankenmuth, parts of Birch Run, Blumfield and Tuscola townships.  In addition to books, periodicals and reference materials, the Frankenmuth Library boasts a cadre of special resources including extensive geneology research facilities.  The Frankenmuth Library hosts of hundreds of special events including the blockbuster Summer Reading Program serving hundreds of area school students who read thousands of books.  Facilities include a community meeting room, teen room, bargain book room and outdoor garden reading area.  The Friends of the Library provide financial and human resources for special projects and programs.

Grandpa Tiny’s Farm

Grandpa Tiny’s Farm, located at the south end of Frankenmuth near Weiss and M83, celebrates America’s rural heritage as a working farm.  A joyful project begun by Bavarian Inn founder William “Tiny” Zehnder, the farm showcases working antique farm equipment, original structures relocated there by Zehnder for historical preservation and the original Black Bridge.  It’s not unusual to see new chicks or young steers born on site. 

City Parks & Recreation 

The City offers 18 parks containing over 100 acres of land. Used for recreation, family gatherings, picnics and other social events, the parks offer different environments and facilities for enjoyment by the public. Selected park buildings and facilities may be reserved by contacting City Hall. The Parks & Recreation Department offers a variety of programs, throughout all seasons, for all ages. For recreation information, contact (989) 652-3440.

City Beautification Committee

Designated an American in Bloom Champion in 2005, the City of Frankenmuth was recognized for its award winning flowers and community good looks.  With activities spearheaded by the City Beautification Committee, AIB recognized Frankenmuth’s many community assets including cleanliness, environmental efforts, citizen involvement, heritage preservation, urban forestry, landscaping, floral displays and parks.  The CBC, a committee of the City of Frankenmuth, raises money to annually fund investment in hanging flower baskets, flags and banners and the beautiful Christmas decorations. For information about the City Beautification Committe, contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at City Hall at 989.652.3430 ext 120.

 Cass River Greenway Committee 

The Cass River runs through the City towards the Saginaw River and Bay.  In 1831, Alex de Tocqueville, a reporter for a Paris newspaper, was sent to America, to write about the edge of civilization, “the last frontier,” wherein his travels brought him to Saginaw, Michigan. On that trip he wrote his impressions of the Cass River:

A turf covered point projecting above the river in the shade of great trees served us as a table and we sat down to luncheon with a view of the river whose waters clear as crystal, snaked through the wood.

Motivated by de Tocqueville’s words,  a local group of citizens to form the Cass River Greenway Committee in 2007.  The focus of the committee is development recreational opportunities, preserve wildlife habitat and lands, improve water quality and engage and educated the local community.