June 29, 2005
Log cabin day opens door to Old Mission past
More than 1,000 people attend event at restored cabin first built in 1856 by pioneers Mary and Joseph Hessler
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
From climbing the narrow stairs to the lighthouse tower to playing old-fashioned games to learning to weave, attendees at Log Cabin Days immersed themselves in the history of Old Mission Peninsula.
More than 1,000 people dropped in at Lighthouse Park Sunday to attend the event, driving the length of the Old Mission Peninsula to the park situated at its tip. There they could tour the Hessler Log Cabin, a restored cabin built in 1856 by pioneers Mary and Joseph Hessler. Attendees also learned about the life of a lighthouse keeper while touring the home and facilities of the Old Mission Point Lighthouse, which as built in 1870.
The Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society sponsored the event, which was held in conjunction with the state-wide 19th Annual Log Cabin Day in Michigan. The Log Cabin Society of Michigan spearheads this event every year, featuring 90 sites on the 2005 roster.
The event also featured 26 crafters from local guilds who demonstrated necessary skills from 150 years ago. Attendees could learn about crafts that settlers from the 1800s knew, including weaving, quilting, noodle making, rug hooking and basket weaving. In addition, poet Jim Ribby recited Civil War era poems while decked out in a Union soldier's uniform.
Members of the West Shore Ruggers Guild meticulously added strip after strip of cloth to their rugs. They fielded questions from attendees and hoped to spark an interest in this old-time craft, which pioneers used to turn material scraps into warm floor coverings.
"We've had a lot of interest, more than we expected," said Judith Best of Onekema. "As an art form, this really is making a comeback - Hallelujah! There's a lot of people turning back to this kind of stuff."
Although Log Cabin Days kept organizers, historical interpreters and crafters busy all day, this year's attendance was down from last year's 1,500.
"It rises and falls, which is part of the trend," said Carol Lewis, director of Log Cabin Days for the Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society for the past four years.
This is the first year that the lighthouse tour included historical interpreters, who were stationed at the door of the residence, at the base of the stairs and in an upper story. They told visitors about the life and work of a lighthouse keeper as well as the specific history of the Old Mission Point Lighthouse.
"We were excited to get Terry Pepper there, he has one of the best websites on Great Lakes lighthouses," said Lewis of one of the interpreters, adding: "I think the exciting thing for me, as always, is having both the lighthouse and the log cabin open."
Volunteers from the Maritime Heritage Alliance displayed the organizations restored Mackinaw boat, the Gracie L. This reproduction represents a boat that plied the Straits of Mackinac 150 years ago.
"That was here at the time Peter Dougherty was here, because his wife was rowed in one up to the Straits of Mackinac with eight boys when she was eight months pregnant," noted Lewis.
Another hit of the day were the old-fashioned games brought by Don and Helen Pratt. The couple demonstrated a variety of games that pioneer children might have enjoyed including catching a ball in a cup and games involving hoops and sticks. They also taught the children to play the games and helped them make one to take home.
"They're our poster children for the log cabin," said Lewis of the Pratts, noting that the couple also served as historical interpreters in the Hessler Log Cabin. "They dress in very accurate historical costumes."