JACKSON, Mich. — On Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., nine participating Jackson County, Michigan museums will be open to the public free of charge. Some locations will keep it low-key with an “open-house style” reception and self-guided tours while others are hosting festivals, child-friendly activities, historical demonstrations and providing guided tours. Museum Day is a wonderful opportunity to check some Jackson County Museums off your bucket list and discover what they’re all about.
2019 Museum Day Participants:
Cambridge Junction Historic State Park and Walker Tavern
1322 M-50, Brooklyn, MI 49230
Cambridge Junction Historic State Park will be celebrating the centennial anniversary of Michigan State Parks. A free Gospel and Bluegrass Festival from 1 to 6:00 p.m. will be the highlight of the day. Groups performing are local bands including Front Paige Band, Out of the Blue and Red, White and Bluegrass. Open jam session to follow last band. Friends of Walker Tavern will sell their locally famous Root Beer and the Hot Dog Lady (Margaret Anderson) will have dogs and brats for sale. Park opens at 9:00 a.m., and a Recreation Passport is required for park entry.
Cell Block 7 Prison Museum
3455 Cooper Street, Jackson, MI 49201
Cell Block 7 will be partnering with Jackson Historic Prison Tours to give presentations every hour starting at 10 a.m. and ending with a 3 p.m. presentation. A number of “information stations” will be set up where visitors can talk to docents about specific aspects of the prison.
Ella Sharp Museum
3225 Fourth Street, Jackson, MI 49203
The Ella Sharp Museum will have free access to all six art and history galleries and will be offering guided tours of Ella Sharp’s Hillside Farmhouse at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m
Hanover-Horton Area Historical Society
105 Fairview Street, Hanover, MI 49210
The Hanover-Horton Area Historical Society will offer wagon rides between three campus areas: 1) Conklin Museum with local history displays, a collection of 100 playable reed organs, and our special exhibit “Memories of Service Veteran’s Exhibit”; 2) The organ restoration workshop with guided tours; 3) Heritage Park with Kids on the Farm activities and tours of the Sugar Shack, Sawmill, and Antique Farm Equipment Barn. Cookies and punch will be served.
Lost Railway Museum
The Lost Railway Museum will be offering cookies and refreshments.
Mann House
205 Hanover Street, Concord, MI 49237
The Mann House will be offering guided house tours. Situated in the beautiful village of Concord, this 1880s home was built by Daniel and Ellen Mann. Three generations of family furnishings decorate their modest middle-class home. The Mann sisters: highly educated women, Mary Ida Mann Cady and Jessie Ellen traveled the World over bringing back to their Concord home souvenirs from Europe and the Far East which are displayed throughout the house. After your visit take time to stroll the sidewalks of Concord where you will find more than 40 other buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Tompkins Historical Stewart Museum
10138 Tompkins Road, Rives Junction, MI 49277
The Tompkins Stewart Museum will be offering a plant sale, tractor pulls, guided museum tours, blacksmith demonstrations, loom weaving presentations, and a step back in time at the one-room school house and 1836 log cabin. Additionally, the Rives-Tompkins Fire Department will be hosting a pancake breakfast fundraiser from 8 to 11:30 a.m. across the street at the Tompkins Town Hall. Cost is by donation.
Waterloo Farm Museum and Dewey School Museum
13493 Waterloo Munith Road, Grass Lake, MI 49240
The Waterloo Farm Museum will be offering tours of all their buildings, which include an 1840's Log House, 1870's 13-room farmhouse, blacksmith shop, and outbuildings. The Dewey School will be open with a School Master or Marm in attendance to give a typical day in an 1870's one-room school. Light refreshments will be served at the Farm Museum.
Ye Ole Carriage Shop Auto Museum
3537 Henderson Road, Spring Arbor, MI 49283
The Ye Ole Carriage Shop will be offering guided tours throughout Museum Day.
For more information, please visit www.ExperienceJackson.com/MuseumDay. Museum Day is proudly promoted by the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Jackson County, Experience Jackson and participating museums.
