Approximately one hundred people from the community came together to welcome the opening of the museum’s restored log cabin on August 11th. The Gratiot Chamber of Commerce organized a ribbon cutting ceremony as the official opening. Ithaca mayor, Alice Schafer, cut the ribbon with curators, John Kemler and Linda Weburg at her side. Also attending were Chris Yonker, Ithaca City Manager, Bob Duggar, the log cabin builder/restorer, and Tina Travis from the Gratiot County Community Foundation. Special guests were the Schuiz family, who donated the cabin, and Flora McPherson Tomac, a relative of George Ridsdale (Ridgedale), who built the cabin in 1899. Mrs. Tomac recently provided more historical information about the cabin. Refreshments of cookies and lemonade were served on the porch of the museum house, and the Just for Fun Dulcimer Club entertained on the lawn.
Many enjoyed touring the house and barn as well as the cabin which is furnished to make it resemble a settler’s first home. Photographs and histories of other Gratiot County log cabins are also displayed inside the cabin as well as the timeline of the museum’s cabin and the donations of wood, stones, etc. that were used to restore it. The cabin is open for viewing every Wednesday from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.. May through October.