“The building stopped us in our tracks. You can feel its history the moment you step inside. It was designed by the father and son architectural duo - Osgood and Osgood - more than a century ago, and it has that sense of pride and craftsmanship you don’t see anymore. We knew if someone didn’t breathe life back into it soon, the community could lose something irreplaceable. That thought pushed us forward. We wanted to save it, restore it, and give it a new purpose.
We both live in and love Bay City, and we’ve always had a soft spot for old buildings and the stories behind them. We’ve tackled plenty of large projects in our careers, but nothing at this scale or with this kind of historic significance. The Osgood is the first time all our skills, business, hospitality, design, and community engagement, have come together under one roof.
There’s a level of detail that you can’t reproduce today without blowing the budget. The original trim work, the curved arches, the staircase, even the layout - it’s all evidence of a time when craftsmanship was a point of pride. Every time we start a project or uncover something new, we’re reminded of how much thought went into this place.
Right away, we saw people gathering here. The original woodwork, the big open rooms, the charm, it already felt like a celebration space. Bay City has great venues, but there’s still a gap between rustic barns and hotel ballrooms. Couples and families want something historic, elegant, and local. The Osgood gives them that. It’s a place with character, not just square footage.
When making changes, we always start by asking: Does this change honor the building? We want the venue to feel timeless, not modernized to the point where the history disappears. So, we preserve everything structurally sound, restore what needs love, and add modern amenities only where they improve the experience. Things like climate control, lighting, sound, accessibility, and safety. It’s a careful dance but we’re preserving every element that makes The Osgood extraordinary. Our philosophy is that guests should feel the history without ever noticing the infrastructure that supports their experience.
We’ve been intentional about keeping the work local. Bay County has incredible tradespeople: roofers, masons, carpenters, electricians, and preservation-minded specialists. They understand the community and respect the age of the building. We’ve also had help from local engineers and inspectors who care about seeing this building come back to life.”
— Kendra and Mike Mulligan, The Osgood Wedding and Events
“Matt grew up in Reese and I grew up in Bay City, so we’ve driven by this building our entire lives. I’ve always lived in a historic home, so painting and plaster repair don’t scare me. We’ve always had a deep respect for the history of Bay City, and an eye for walking into a historic space and being able to see what that space could become.
We have taken on significant projects before, but The Osgood is certainly the largest to date. This building is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we felt uniquely prepared, both creatively and operationally, to take it on.
Matt and I met here at a wedding - at a time when both of us lived in Chicago, a city known worldwide for its historic architecture. With that background, we knew the space was unique, and to Mike and Kendra’s points - the craftsmanship was probably what pushed us over the edge as far as truly pursuing the project. Plus, the more we learned about the Scottish Rite organization and the more people we met during the acquisition process, we really felt compelled to save a landmark that has been with Bay City for 100 years.
Very few spaces in our region offer true historic luxury. The kind of old-world elegance that feels cinematic, timeless, and genuinely special. With the number of unique spaces within the building - we really felt that The Osgood’s architecture naturally lends itself to celebration: soaring ceilings, hand carved woodwork, and rooms designed for gathering and performance. Weddings and events like birthdays and retirement parties are the most meaningful moments in people’s lives, and they deserve a backdrop worthy of them. We saw a clear gap between what people dream about and what has been available locally - and The Osgood bridges that gap.
The Osgood is open now and taking bookings! We’ve already had a fashion show, a bridal show, funeral luncheons, and holiday parties - to name a few. Weddings and receptions will be the core of the business, and we’ll also host corporate events, holiday parties, nonprofit fundraisers, family gatherings, concerts, and community-focused events. Tours and booking are available through our website and social channels, but people can also reach out directly to schedule tours or secure dates.
We live here, we’re raising our families here, and we feel that The Osgood is more than a venue - we’d say that it’s a catalyst. Events hosted here will bring tourism, create jobs, support local vendors, and add another anchor to our Center Avenue Historic District and Downtown Bay City. The economic impact to hotels, restaurants, and retailers throughout the city is real when large groups of people come to town.
In five years, we picture a fully restored landmark that feels alive every week. Weddings filling the calendar, concerts and community events sprinkled throughout the year, and a space that families and organizations consider their go-to spot. It will be a place known throughout Michigan as a destination for beauty, history, and elevated experiences. We want people to say that The Osgood helped reshape the energy of Downtown Bay City and became a place we're proud to show off. And most of all, we see it continuing to bring people together, which is exactly what it was always meant to do.”
— Margeaux Appold and Matt Elsesser, The Osgood Wedding and Events
614 Center Ave, Bay City
