Waterloo Farm Museum hosts Blacksmiths-Soldiers and Log Cabin Weekend

by Arlene Kaiser

Log Cabin Day, a statewide event in Michigan, celebrates pioneer families, and the Waterloo Farm and Dewey School Museums commemorated the holiday in its own 1840’s log house. June 23 and 24 an interpreter told stories about log cabins of yesteryear, and of the hard life our pioneer forefathers endured here in Michigan.

Dr. Thom was also on hand in the Log House to recalled the daily life of a rural doctor. His surgical skills and clean cuts, he assured attendees, could ensure the safe healing of broken bones or the slashes from a mis-swung axe.

In keeping with their 15-year tradition of support, blacksmith friends from the Michigan Artistic Blacksmiths Association brought their forges and skillfully demonstrated the art of forming raw chunks of iron or steel into works of art and tools.

Several Civil War soldiers and civilian camps also stopped by the farm, and their living examples brought the otherwise unimaginable hardships of an 1860s soldier and his family to life. The 5^thKentucky occupied the north side of the Farmhouse, while the Sons of the Union Veterans camped in the south meadow along with the Battery B Michigan Light Artillery. The firing of a cannon and drum of military exercises rang through the air.

The Dewey School located at 11501 Territorial Rd, Stockbridge, was open with a school marm in attendance to give visitors an authentic taste of the one room school house and the many rules each student, grades K through 8 was required to follow.

Vendors and demonstrators were on hand to weave socks on an 1870’s machine, spin wool, weave wheat and rugs, knap arrowheads and show how other important functions were performed.

See www.waterloofarmmuseum.org for a schedule of upcoming events and tour hours.