Est.
1968
Pioneer Log Village
205 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, one room 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. Each contain period artifacts and antiques that let the visitor step back in time and look into this area’s past.
The Pioneer Log Cabin Village is open Sunday afternoons from 2-4 p.m. between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends.
It is also open the last Sunday in June each year for Michigan Log Cabin Day.
During this special event, the Village comes alive with added activities.
Admission is free, but donations are greatly appreciated!
In 2025, we were able to replace the roof on our Ullrich Log Home. Although cedar shingles were a LOT more money, we were able to accomplish it due to the overwhelming support of our community!!!
Pictured are members of the Bad Axe Historical Society and members of the group 100 Women Who Care - Huron County Chapter, who donated $5100 to our project.
We feel truly blessed by their support as well as everyone that donated to our cause, large or small!!!
General Store
The old-fashioned general store was often the heart of the town. Not only did people buy necessities at the store, but it became a meeting place for villagers to share news and visit. The Historical Society received many items donated by families who at one time had general stores in the area.
Becking School
The Becking School was built in 1895 and the first teacher was Fred Linton who was paid $20.00 per month. Besides teaching, he had to ready the school for use in the morning and clean up at the end of the day. The school museum is a composite of what the 100 rural schools in Huron County would have been like. The furniture fixtures, books, desks, etc. represent many of the old schools.
Barn Museum
The barn is a symbol of Huron County life. A highly agricultural, rural county, many of the items in the barn would have been used during everyday activities. The barn exhibits include many items of farming equipment and machinery used over the years. Early milking machines, seed planters, and bean sorters are on display.
Linton Memorial Chapel
The chapel represents the early days of worship in the county. The Estey Reed Organ, lectern and matching chairs, a stained glass window, a 1890 family bible, pews and hymnals have been donated by churches and individuals from Huron County to furnish the chapel. The Chapel can be rented for weddings, memorial services and special events in the village. There is a $75 fee. For those interested in renting the Chapel, please contact Mary Curtis at (989) 975-2260.
Ullrich Family Home
It was the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Ullrich and their 11 children. It has been said that the two story 20x30 foot cabin was built in one day near Sebewaing. At that time neighbors helped each other with home and barn raisings. Many of the items in the cabin were the original property of the Ullrich‘s.
Blacksmith Shop
The village “smithy” was an important person in the life of pioneers. Besides shoeing horses, the blacksmith made tools, nails, guns, chains, kitchen and fireplace utensils, mended wagons and plows and many other household needs.
Large Projects
The Bad Axe Historical Society has been busy making much-needed improvements
to the buildings and grounds that we maintain and operate.
Below you will find one of our projects that we have completed at this property.
Our windows at the Pioneer Log Village were in very rough condition with some of them falling out. Thanks to the community's generosity, we were able to replace 6 windows on the General Store in 2021 and 8 windows on the Home and Church in 2023. They were custom made and installed by Amish craftsmen including rough sawn wood on the exterior. Pictured are before and after pictures of our window replacement project.
We are a non-profit organization with no paid employees nor public funding. Our mission is not only to preserve history, but to make it accessible to our local community as well as our many out of town visitors. Community support is essential in making this happen.
There are still many projects on our wish list including: Applying sealant to the log buildings, re-chink (“mortar”) between the logs, and fix or replace a leaking roof.
You can help us financially to make improvements by becoming a member or being a donor. You can also help us physically by helping us with your time and talents with maintenance, yardwork or being a host on Sundays, for only 2 hours, when we are open.
