Shrine of the Pines facts for kids

Shrine of the Pines is a special place located south of Baldwin, Michigan, right on highway M-37. It's famous for its amazing collection of furniture made in the early 1900s. A man named Raymond W. Overholzer created all these unique pieces over almost 30 years, from the early 1920s until he passed away in 1952. He wanted this collection to be a way to remember the beautiful eastern white pine trees that were almost completely cut down in northern Michigan. The property includes the original log cabin that was built to show off the furniture. Both the cabin and the furniture were recognized as a Michigan State Historic Site on July 20, 1982.

Who Was Raymond Overholzer?

Raymond Overholzer was born in Ohio. He moved to a town called Marlborough, Michigan, with his wife in 1920. This was a time when a lot of trees were being cut down in the area. Raymond loved to hunt and was also a taxidermist, which means he prepared animal specimens. He often explored what is now the Manistee National Forest, looking for game.

A Deep Concern for White Pines

Raymond was very worried about how much the white pine trees had been destroyed. He started collecting tree stumps and roots left behind from the logging. At first, he used these pieces to make frames for mirrors and bases for his taxidermy animals.

Building the Shrine of the Pines

By 1939, Raymond's collection of handmade items had grown very large. Most of these items were made from white pine pieces he found. He and three lumbermen built a cabin to display everything. They named the cabin "Shrine of the Pines." This name honored the white pine, which had been Michigan's most important natural resource.

Opening to the Public

The cabin was opened for people to visit. Raymond kept working hard, adding more and more pieces to his collection. When he passed away, there were 201 pieces of furniture. The collection includes a large dining table with seating for ten people. There's also a buffet, side tables, guest beds, and a game table with five club chairs. You can also see a rocking chair with an ottoman, fireplace chairs, and a spinning gun rack. The dining table itself was made from one huge 700-pound tree root. It has more than 60 different designs inlaid into its surface.

How the Furniture Was Made

Raymond made each piece of furniture using only hand tools. He joined the wood together using wooden dowels, which are like pegs. He also used a special glue that he made himself. People say his secret glue recipe included pine pitch, parts of fish, deer hair, other deer parts, and sawdust.

Raymond smoothed the surfaces of the furniture with homemade sandpaper. He made this sandpaper from used sanding belts from local lumber companies. He also used crushed glass and local sands. To finish the pieces, he rubbed them with animal grease.

The Shrine Today

Raymond Overholzer's wife, Hortense Overholtzer, lived for 7 years after he passed away. When she died, she left the furniture collection and the property to Boysville of Clinton, Michigan. This organization is now known as Holycross of Clinton, Mi.

Later, a group of local people bought the Shrine of the Pines. It is still open today for visitors. You can take tours from May 1st through November 1st each year.