I have visited Mackinaw City, Michigan (USA) dozens of times over the past ten years but I never knew about the Mackinaw City Heritage
Village until I started
doing research on one-room schoolhouses.
That is when I discovered the Freedom
School had been moved
here.
Recently, we were in Mackinaw City
and the Heritage Village was at the top of my list of
things to do. It is located at 1425 West Central Avenue
(about 1.5 miles west of Mackinaw
City ). A white entrance sign marks the long gravel
road to the park.
Entrance Sign and Drive
There is a wide grassy parking
area at the end of the road/driveway.
This 143 acre parcel is home to several historic buildings that have
been restored to their 1880’s-1917 appearance.
There are also modern outhouses and a pavilion and the park appears to be handicap accessible. The Village is open seasonally from 1 p.m. to
5 p.m. on Fridays through Mondays. If a
volunteer is not present to give you a guided tour, there is an “Audio Tour of
the Buildings” you can access by calling (231) 486-003 and entering the numbered stop that corresponds to the building. Historical Parks are a great place for families to spend time together and learn about the local history.
The first building I see is the
Heritage Chapel. This church (built in
1897 and closed in 1960) served the local people of Brutus as a place of
worship. In 2010, the church was moved
to the Heritage Village where it was restored to its
1897 appearance. It is handicap accessible
and available for weddings.
Heritage Chapel - Exterior & Interior
The Stimpson Farmhouse (Maple Ridge Farm) was originally
built in the 1880’s (located about 3 miles southeast of Mackinaw City ). The original farmhouse
burned down in the late 1960’s. As a result, this farmhouse has been recreated from the original and it is considered a good representation for that era.
Stimpson Farmhouse
Dining Room
Bedroom
The two-room Detweiler Log Cabin (built 1883) was originally
located in Brutus (about 13 miles south of the Heritage Village ).
Detweiler Two-Room Log Cabin
Interior of Log Cabin
Next to the Detweiler Cabin is
the Kitchen Garden where fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables were grown and harvested to
provide food for meals. The Heritage Village added the Kitchen Garden in
2009.
Kitchen Garden
Now, we walk over to the Freedom School (1885-1933). The school was moved from its original
location southeast of Mackinaw City in the town of Freedom
– now you will find the town only exists on State of Michigan
Road Maps .
Freedom School - Exterior and Interior
In the 1900’s a “Pestilence House” was used to prevent the
spread of contagious diseases by placing the person under quarantine. This “pest” house is thought to be the last
remaining one in Michigan .
"Pestilence House" - Exterior and Interior
There are a few more surprises to
see and a nature trail to explore but I will leave some things for you to
discover on your own.
For more information on the Mackinaw City
Heritage Village ,
please click on the following link:
There
are various lodging options in Mackinaw
City from bed & breakfast
to national hotel brands. Prices will vary according to location and amenities.
Many hotels are located on Huron
Street (near downtown) where you will find the ferry docks to Mackinaw Island .
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