Clare County Historical Society Invites You to Old Fashion Day

Free event

11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 26

7050 S. Eberhart Ave., Clare, Michigan

Logging History of Clare County

Angela Kellogg-Henry

Presented in the Dover school at 1 p.m.

New members are welcome for just $10 per year. The historical society will hold their last meeting of 2026 at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at the museum located at 7050 S. Eberhart Ave., Clare. Visit www.clarecountyhistory.org/ for more information.

Clare County Historical Society

7050 S. Eberhart
Clare, MI 48617

By ANGELA KELLOGG-HENRY

Cleaver Managing Editor

 One doesn’t need to spend a lot of gas money this weekend to find something fun to do close by. The Clare County Historical Society hosts their annual Old Fashion Day from 11-4 p.m. this Saturday, September 26 at the museum complex at 7050 S. Eberhart Road between Harrison and Clare.

Last year over 230 visitors enjoyed the beautiful fall weather touring the grounds and this year the forecast is perfect!  The historical society has a museum building, two pioneer cabins, a working blacksmith shop, and the Dover one-room schoolhouse. The Sunshine String Band will once again be performing on the front porch.

The 150-year-old one-room Dover School lets you imagine children attending school and sitting at desks of all sizes, for all ages, without a computer or screen in sight. The last class graduated from the 8^th grade in 1966, and the historical society took ownership of the school in 1970. It is mostly preserved in the same manner students from 1876 to 1966 would recognize.

Also, a crowd pleaser for kids is toy tables spread out with all antique and vintage toys from hula hoops to stereo viewers. Kids could bang on the keys of several styles and ages of typewriters, handle “real” telephones, and see TVs and radios of all types and sizes. The radio display from Harrison first radio station WWKK features records, microphones and other radio memorabilia.

The working blacksmith shop is also a favorite of all ages. Watch metal as becomes everyday objects and works of art.

I will be the featured speaker this year giving a talk on the history of logging in Clare County with an overview of some of the major timber operators in the county. The museum also features a log mark display, logging tools, logging rail information and a lot of items from the 1800s.

The Clare Fire Department will be on hand for guests to tour their rigs. Though one might suspect they may show up for the hot bean soup, donuts, and admiration of lots of youngsters. Their attendance is greatly appreciated by the historical society and guests.

Old Fashion Day serves as the last hurrah of the season for CCHS. The complex is open from 1-4 p.m. Saturdays May through September. After Saturday, the museum and grounds will be closed until May of 2027. Off-season appointments and tours are available by prearrangement as weather conditions allow.