In the beginning: The St. Clair County Farm Museum was proposed in 1964 by the administrator of the St. Clair County Medical Center. He saw how technology was rapidly changing life in rural America and realized that there was a need to savor a slice of the past so that the area's youth could explore and learn how their forefathers lived. By seeing a slice of the past, an appreciation of today's lifestyle can be realized. The founding Museum members opened the Museum on July 16, 1966.
The mission of the St. Clair County Farm Museum is to acquire, preserve, demonstrate and exhibit artifacts which will provide the public with an understanding and appreciation for the agricultural heritage of St. Clair County. While farming, lumbering and rural domestic life will be addressed for all periods of the county’s development, the primary focus will be for the periods of 1880 to 1960. And of course what fun is it to acquire without displaying, so once a year, the last weekend in August, we hold the annual St. Clair County Farm Museum’s “FALL HARVEST DAYS” which consist of 3 days of demonstrations of “How it used to be”. You’ll be able to see steam powered “Threshing” of wheat, watch as huge logs get made into boards on an old style “Port Huron Sawmill“, and see and hear the old “Steam Traction Engines” run while you take your time walking past rows of restored tractors. Or, stroll through the “Barns” and see the displays of antiques, and memorabilia of yesteryear and the horsepower of the machines that made America great. You can also see working displays of “Hit and Miss Engines” while enjoying a tasty snack or a meal at Melanie's Diner. It’s a day full of adventure for the whole family.
In order to achieve this mission, the Museum is continually working to provide educational static, functional, and interactive displays. In addition, by providing historical information and documentation through the use of this website, others not able to visit the Museum because of geographic location or disability may also benefit.
1918 Port Huron Steam Traction Engine MODEL 19-65
