Between 2023 and 2024, Sleeping Bear Forever celebrated 25 years of defying the odds, doing meaningful work to reassert the cultural heritage in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The organization was founded in 1998 and became an official partner of the national park in 1999.  Special events book-ending these milestones featured the accomplishments and successes of a grassroots organization.

We persevered in holding to our values and vision of preserving all 369 historic structures and landscapes that had been identified from the late 1800s-early 1900s. These were symbols of our past, and backed by the community, our small organization was resilient in forging a future that spared, instead of wiped out, these places that matter. 

We have endured 25 years, and now look to the future to not only save, but perpetuate the stories of the past through expanded experiential programs that engage our hands and spirit in honor of those that came before us. We hope you will support us as we continue to preserve, protect, and perpetuate this rich history within Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.