‘Will Carleton Farm Festival’ is a step back in time

HILLSDALE — The community can learn more about Hillsdale’s history on August 3 at a free event at the Will Carleton Poorhouse.

The annual Will Carleton Farm Festival will feature a Civil War encampment, fresh baked goods and museum displays from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

“This year, I’m most excited about opening our old barn to visitors just before we begin renovation work on it,” said JoAnne Miller, a board member of the Hillsdale County Historical Society (HCHS), which manages the Poorhouse.

The event is organized by the HCHS and the Center Adams Antique Power and Equipment Club.

“It will be a look into the past when farmers were grateful for a spring under their metal tractor seat and very lucky if they had an umbrella to protect them from the sun,” Miller said.

Antique tractors will participate in a slow race, where drivers should compete without stalling.

Pulled pork sandwiches will also be for sale, with fry bread and corn on the cob available for a donation.

Baked goods will be for sale in the General Store, as well as a quilt that is being raffled.

Attendees will also get to visit the historic buildings on site.

“The historical society now has four buildings open for visitors,” Miller said.

The buildings include the Poorhouse, the General Store, and the Barn Museum.

This year, there will be a new building available, a barn which was recently renovated.

“The Mail Pouch Tobacco Barn siding donated by Meijer that will be mounted inside the old barn has spurred us toward its renovation,” Miller explained. “This project is the last one of the four buildings at the Poorhouse complex to be made ready to take visitors into Hillsdale’s past.”

There will also be a presentation open to the community.

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“The Vanished Hillsdale Reunion, which is open to everyone, will present a history of barn advertising and an update on the barn renovation at 11 a.m.,” she said. “Following the presentation, the Dang Twangoes trio will play bluegrass and folk music on acoustic guitar and mandolin.”

Crafters will also be on-site selling their goods.

The Poorhouse is located at 180 N. Wolcott St. in Hillsdale.

— Elyse Apel is a correspondent for The Hillsdale Daily News. She can be reached by email at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: ‘Will Carleton Farm Festival’ highlights rich history of Hillsdale