Pine Grove Historical Museum facts for kids

Welcome to the Pine Grove Historical Museum! This cool place is in Pontiac, Michigan. It's run by a group called the Oakland County Pioneer and Historical Society.

The museum's main attraction is the old home of Moses Wisner. He was once the Governor of Michigan. The museum property is quite big, over four acres! It has many old buildings. You can see a summer kitchen, a smokehouse, and even a root cellar.

The property also has a one-room schoolhouse from the late 1800s. There's also an old carriage house. This building now holds the Pioneer Museum and a special Research Library.

Meet Moses Wisner, Michigan's Governor

The house where Moses Wisner lived is very important. It's even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Moses Wisner moved to Oakland County, Michigan in 1845. He came from New York with his family. They settled on land near an old path called the Saginaw Trail.

Moses Wisner was a lawyer, but he really loved farming. So, he bought enough land for animals like chickens and cattle. He also planted fruit trees and grew vegetables.

In 1858, something big happened: Wisner was elected governor of Michigan! A governor is the leader of a state. At that time, there was no special house for the governor in Lansing. So, Wisner changed his own home to fit his new job. His house was built in the Greek Revival-Style.

Instead of running for governor again, Wisner decided to help his country. He put together a group of volunteer soldiers. They were going to fight in the U.S. Civil War. In 1862, his group, the 22nd Michigan Infantry, went to Kentucky. Colonel Wisner was their leader. Before he left, he gave ownership of his Pine Grove home to his wife, Angeolina.

Sadly, Moses Wisner died in Kentucky in 1863. He passed away from typhoid fever.

What is Pine Grove?

Moses Wisner's big home had many pine trees around it. Because of these trees, he decided to name his property "Pine Grove." That's where the museum gets its name!

Explore the Pioneer Museum

The Pioneer Museum is inside the old carriage house. Here, you can see many cool things. It has a collection of tools and farm equipment. These items were all made by hand in the late 1800s. It shows how people used to work and live long ago.

Visit the Drayton Plains Schoolhouse

Imagine going to school in just one room! The Drayton Plains one-room schoolhouse was built in 1865. It was first located in Drayton Plains, Michigan. This school taught children until it closed in 1920.

In 1965, a kind person named Leonard Coates gave the schoolhouse to the Pioneer Museum. It was moved to the Pine Grove property. The schoolhouse was then fixed up to look just like it did in the late 1800s. You can see old school benches, a wood-burning stove, and even textbooks from that time!

Discover the Research Library

Also located in the carriage house is the Research Library. This library has many historical resources. You can find old books, city directories, and records from cemeteries. There are also old newspapers and other materials about local history. It's a great place to learn more about the past!