Pioneer Day

Step back to harvest time in the 1880’s at the Museum grounds to renew your acquaintance with the way of life familiar to the Michigan farmer in the second half of the 19th century. Visit the Farm Museum and take a tour of a complex of farm buildings including the restored ten-room farmhouse dating from 1855. A docent in every room will be your guide as you tour the house set with utensils, furniture, clothing, and other household items of the time. There will demonstrations of butter making, hearth cooking, brick-oven baking, blacksmithing and dried flower arranging. Costumed demonstrators will bring history to life with demonstrations of traditional tasks like spinning, dressmaking, weaving and quilting, as well as exhibits of farm tools used for chores. Visitors to Pioneer Day will also have the opportunity to hear live music and try out stilt-walking or other outdoor games. Children will enjoy crafts to take home. Horse-drawn wagon rides. Sons of Union Veterans' of the Civil War will be on hand with records of local Union soldiers for the genealogical-minded. Wares for sale.