Shrine of the Pines facts for kids

Shrine of the Pines is a special place located south of Baldwin, Michigan. It's famous for its amazing collection of handmade furniture from the early 1900s. A man named Raymond W. Overholzer created all these unique pieces over nearly 30 years, from the 1920s until he passed away in 1952. He wanted the 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 named a Michigan State Historic Site on July 20, 1982, meaning they are important parts of history.

Who Was Raymond Overholzer?

Raymond Overholzer was born in Ohio. He moved to 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 hunting and was a taxidermist, which means he prepared animal skins to look lifelike. He often explored what is now the Manistee National Forest, looking for game.

A Love for Pine Trees

Raymond was very worried about how many white pine trees had been cut down. He started collecting the stumps and roots left behind by the loggers. At first, he used these pieces to make frames for mirrors and bases for his taxidermy animals. This was the start of his incredible collection.

Building the Shrine

By 1939, Raymond's collection of handmade items had grown very large. Most of his creations were made from pieces of white pine he found. He and three lumbermen built a special cabin to display everything.

The Cabin's Purpose

The cabin was named "Shrine of the Pines." It was meant to honor the white pine, which was once Michigan's most important natural resource. The cabin was opened to the public, and Raymond kept working hard. He added more and more pieces to his collection. When he died, there were 201 amazing items.

What Furniture Can You See?

The collection includes many different types of furniture. There's a big dining table with seats for ten people, a buffet, and side tables. You can also see beds, a game table with five club chairs, and a rocking chair with a footrest. There are even special fireplace chairs and a spinning gun rack. One of the most impressive pieces is the dining table. It was made from a single tree root that weighed 700 pounds! It also has over 60 small, decorative pieces set into its surface.

How the Furniture Was Made

Raymond Overholzer made every single piece of furniture using only hand tools. He didn't use nails or screws. Instead, he used a method called joinery with wooden dowels. These are small wooden pegs that fit into holes to connect pieces.

Raymond's Secret Glue

He also made his own special glue. People say his secret glue recipe included interesting things like pine pitch (sticky sap from pine trees), parts of fish, deer hair, other parts of deer, and sawdust. This unique glue helped hold his creations together strongly.

Sanding and Finishing Touches

To make the surfaces smooth, Raymond used homemade sandpaper. He made it from used sanding belts he got from local lumber companies. He also used crushed glass and local sands to create his own sandpaper. For the final touch, he finished the pieces with animal grease to protect and shine the wood.

The Shrine Today

Raymond Overholzer's wife, Hortense, lived for 7 more 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.