Schooltours 2025

This Station tour begins at the Sawmill Museum. The students will see actual photos from the by-gone era, plus many of the actual tools that were used in the forests. Shown/discussed also will be how the logs were transported to the sawmill. There will be a short discussion of Michigan history and the part that lumbering, including major fires, played in development of rural Michigan. Following this year’s theme, ‘Then & Now - See The Changes!’ tools used to cut down trees 100+ years ago will be shown/compared to those used today. A demonstration of crosscut saws, broadaxes, vs. chain saws will be given. At the sawmill, presenters will demonstrate what the settlers had to go through ‘to put a roof over their heads.’ The students will also see the presenters make hand split shakes (shingles) for the roof. The importance of working together will be highlighted and demonstrated with hands-on activities. Lastly the huge sawmill will be fired up so the students can see/hear/smell/touch what it takes to provide the lumber used in building then and today. No matter what age - 5 to 55 - this presentation is educational - involving STEM learning and rural Michigan history - very interesting, & a GREAT Station to visit!