Bad Axe Historical Society

Bad Axe Historical Society Museums

Bad Axe, Michigan

The Bad Axe Historical Society operates and maintains three museum sites in the city of Bad Axe. Their locations are shown on the map included in this website. The Society’s efforts are all on a volunteer basis and there is no admission charged. Of course, your donations of artifacts, old photographs, history or contributions toward maintenance costs will be greatly appreciated. We look forward to showing you our historical collections.

The Allen House Museum

303 N. Port Crescent Avenue.

This 1902 Dutch colonial home was built by Wallace E. Allen, the town’s longest serving mayor, and was opened to the public for the first time in 2004. The home was owned by only one family and is nearly unchanged from its original configuration. Many of the homes original features are still as they were in 1902. The home is furnished with period antiques throughout. There is also an exhibit room dedicated to the 1950’s era in Bad Axe and a gift shop featuring history books and collectable items.

The Allen House is open Sunday afternoons during June and July from 2 to 5 pm. Admission is free.

Pioneer Log Village

In Bad Axe city park along South Hanselman Street.

This historic village is the largest collection of authentically restored pioneer log buildings in Michigan. The six individual museums include a pioneer home, general store, school, chapel, barn and a blacksmith shop. They were originally built between 1875 and 1900 and moved to this site from elsewhere around Huron County, Michigan, in the 1980’s. Each contain period artifacts and antiques that let the visitor step back in time and look into this area’s past.

The last Sunday in June each year is Log Cabin Day in Michigan and is a special event here at the village.

The village is open Sunday afternoons from 2 to 5 pm during the summer months between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Admission is free.

Bad Axe Museum of Local History

Old City Hall, 110 South Hanselman Street.

Area artifacts dating from the mid-to-late 19^th century are housed in this museum. It is located on the second floor of the old Bad Axe city hall building which also includes one of the last fire hose drying towers in Michigan.

This museum is open during the winter months from 2 to 5 pm on the third Sunday each month, January through April.