Step back in time to a reconstructed 19th century general store, post office, barber shop, and blacksmith shop.
Examine a fire apparatus pulled by hand, a case containing old medical instruments of the “horse and buggy” doctor, and a Civil War casket.
Our extensive collection of 19th Century memorabilia is housed on three floors in one of the original Collins Axe Company buildings. Built in 1865, the building was used for finishing agricultural plows. At its peak 100 plows a day were manufactured by the company. In 1924 the building was converted to a recreational facility for employees with a bowling alley on the second floor and fireplaces added.
Examples of everyday life include clothing, furniture, household, kitchen and decorative items and a Victorian parlor. There is also a display of children’s toys and games, plus numerous examples of recreation in the days before cars, television and computers. Trades represented are carpentry, printing, black smithing, shoe making, farming, ice harvesting and tool-making.