Log Cabin Day Festival to be celebrated Sunday

Published 8:51 am Wednesday, June 26, 2019

SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN — Michiganders will have a chance to celebrate history during a statewide festival this weekend.

Michigan’s Log Cabin Day festival will take place Sunday. For the festival, more than 100 log cabins across the state will host open houses — most of which are free to the public.

Log cabins to be open in southwest Michigan include:

• Cassopolis — The Cassopolis Pioneer Log Cabin Museum has several activities planned to celebrate the festival including music, refreshments, Native American vendors and speakers, in addition to a variety of crafts. The Cassopolis museum is authentic, having been built in 1923 by descendants of pioneers on the banks of Stone Lake on M-60, south of the stoplight in Cassopolis. The museum will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, call (269) 445-3759.

• Three Oaks — The old log cabin on retired senator Ron Jelinek’s farm near Three Oaks will be open from 1 to 5 p.m. The cabin was restored by Jelinek. The cabin is located at 7605 Stickles Road, Three Oaks. For more information, call (517) 204-8786.

• Pipestone Township — Cal Bennett will welcome visitors to log cabins that he built in the woods behind his house at 5834 Watson Road, Pipestone Township. Hours are 1 to 5 p.m. For more information, call (269) 944-1109.

• Benton Township — The Jakway Log Cabin, built circa 1835 to 1840, is famous for its education value and for hosting students, artists and foreign visitors. Closed for several years, owners Jill and Larry Culby have decided to open the cabin for the festival, with Jill Culby serving as tour guide. The cabin that will be shown during the festival is not the original log cabin, but instead one that was moved three miles away at the juncture of Blue Creek and the Paw Paw River from the House of David Swamp Farm by Senator James Jenks Jakway, grandson of the original settlers. Open from 1 to 5 p.m., the farm is located at 1280 Hillandale Road, Benton Township. For more information, call (269) 757-1252.