Founders & Benefactors

The generosity of Dr. Charles Ardis, a local retired dentist, will never be forgotten at Ardis Missaukee District Library. Dr. Ardis, a generous patron of the library, established two endowments with the Cadillac Area Community Foundation. These endowments were made possible by Dr. Ardis along with his wife Virginia, and the estate of Virginia's sister, Margaret Louise Hollingsworth.

The Margaret Louise Hollingsworth Endowment has been funded for $100,000 and the interest is to be used for programs, books, materials, and additional items that may advance the education and literary needs of the district.

The Charles R. Ardis Endowment has also been funded for $100,000 and is to be used for any unforeseen expenses toward maintaining the existing library building architecturally, and with the character as was originally donated by Charles and Virginia Ardis. His generosity inspired many people in this community to donate to the library as well.

The current library was built in 1999, and has many unique characteristics which reflect Dr. Ardis' style and taste. He and Virginia were avid ballroom dancers, and they frequented the Pantlind Ballroom, which is now part of the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids.  This passion is represented in our library by our dance floor entryway, chandelier, and real oak panels and trim. Dr. Ardis also liked old English-style libraries, and we have a grand archway to represent that. We have a quiet room which is patterned after Dr. Ardis' study, and is used to house and display many antique books.

As you browse around the library, you will notice that there are plates on all the shelves and endcaps. We are very lucky to have a community that is so giving; almost all of our shelving was donated by patrons, and dedicated to honor or memorialize loved ones.

Regretfully, Dr. Ardis passed away in February of 2004. He will be missed by everyone in this community, and will always be remembered as a true gentleman. As you look around our library and you note the details which were so carefully considered, it evokes the image of the man who was at once generous, humble, kind, and indelibly dignified.

The Ardis Missaukee District Library would not be the asset it is today without the generosity and forward thinking of Dr. Charles Ardis, his wife Virginia Ardis, and Virginia's sister, Margaret Louise Hollingsworth.

Please note the updated name on our building. In August 2009 we honored our benefactor with the addition of the Ardis name to our building.