Pioneer Log Cabin Museum facts for kids
A team of men builds the cabin in May 1923.
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| Established | June 18, 1924 |
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| Location | Cassopolis, Cass County, Michigan |
| Type | Historical log cabin |
| Founder | Charles Harmon |
The Cass County Pioneer Log Cabin Museum is a historic log cabin in Cassopolis, Michigan, located on the shore of Stone Lake. It was built in 1923, not as a home, but as a special place for a town picnic. Today, the cabin is a museum filled with furniture, tools, and toys that show what life was like for pioneers in the 1800s.
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History of the Cabin
The museum has a unique story that started with an idea for a community party.
A Cabin for a Picnic
The idea for the cabin came from a lawyer named Charles Harmon. He was the Secretary of the Cass County Pioneer Society. He thought a log cabin would be the perfect spot to hold the town's annual Pioneer Day Picnic.
Construction started on May 23, 1923, with a team of 46 people. The cabin was finished and officially dedicated less than a month later, on Pioneer Day, June 20.
Built by the Community
The cabin was a true community project. Local families donated all 144 logs from trees on their own properties. Each log was given a number. A special book was kept that lists each log's number, the family who donated it, their town, and the type of tree it came from.
After the cabin was built, people from the community also donated furniture and other items to fill it. For the large fireplace, they gave andirons (metal stands for logs), a crane, and lug hooks for cooking.
Becoming a Museum
The cabin quickly became more than just a picnic spot. A collection of historical items that was kept in the local courthouse was moved into the cabin. This turned the cabin into a real museum, which officially opened on June 18, 1924.
To pay off the money owed for building the cabin, Charles Harmon came up with a clever plan. He sold tiny "lots" of land on the cabin grounds, each just one square inch, for one dollar each. People bought the tiny plots and then donated them right back to the Pioneer Society. In 1972, an addition was built onto the back of the cabin to create more space for all the interesting things on display.
What's Inside the Museum?
The museum is like a time capsule, offering a look into the past. It is filled with items that tell the story of the people who lived in the area long ago.
A Glimpse into the Past
Inside, you can see old tools that pioneers used for farming and building. There are also many household items that show how families cooked, cleaned, and lived in the 19th century. The museum also has old dollhouses and toys, giving a peek into what childhood was like back then.
Special Collections
The museum has some very special items. It holds memorabilia from the Civil War, which was fought from 1861 to 1865.
One of the most fascinating displays is a collection of stuffed birds from the 1860s. This collection includes a passenger pigeon, a bird that is now extinct. This means you can see an animal at the museum that no longer exists anywhere in the world.
Visiting the Museum Today
The Pioneer Log Cabin Museum is open every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day. It also opens for special events during the rest of the year, like the Cassopolis Fall Festival and a Christmas tree lighting in December.
There is no cost to enter the museum. It is supported by donations from visitors, sales from its gift shop, and help from the local government and Chamber of Commerce.
