After the death of Albert (Burt) Realy in 1960, an auction was held and the State Conservation Department razed the barns and cider mill, which were across the road. Before the house could be destroyed, Don Richards of the DNR and the Director of the State Historical Museum, as well as the Manager of the Waterloo Recreation Area made an appeal to interested persons in the area to see if there was enough interest to restore and run the house as a museum. There would be no charge for the house and the historical society would purchase land (3 acres) by exchange, buying a piece that the Games Division needed adjacent to some other hunting area. This was in January, 1962.

The Waterloo Area Historical Society was founded by twelve farsighted people who wanted to preserve something of the past for the children of the future. Two large meetings in the Stockbridge Town Hall gleaned about twenty people who were interested, and together they worked to restore the farmhouse, a living history museum that was to be a memorial to the Michigan pioneer farmer.

After years of neglect because of old age and illness in the family, the place was overgrown with waist-high grass and weeds. Many windows were broken, doors stolen, shutters sagging, and inside, the falling plaster was held together chiefly by the tattered wallpaper.

There was little money for repairs: only the two dollar membership fee and the contributions of a number of kind-hearted individuals who gave in memory of their pioneer ancestors. Money was very carefully laid out for materials, a carpenter when absolutely necessary, and for painting the exterior. Board members, acting on faith, signed notes at the bank to tide over until the money came in. As work progressed, we noted the interest of historians, museum people, and the general public, certain that when the doors were opened, our investment would be repaid.

All the yard work, plastering, paint scraping, papering, interior painting, and refinishing of furniture has been done lovingly by volunteer hands. All the furnishings, furniture, dishes, glass, pictures, etc. came from homes and attics of area residents. All are family heirlooms, given generously to make the old house come alive.

In the fall of 1962, an Open House (later called Pioneer Day) was held and the response was overwhelming.

Gradually other buildings were restored: the spring house, the windmill and the ice house. In 1976, a log house was reconstructed from the best logs that could be salvaged from a much larger two-storied house that stood north of Stockbridge. A bakehouse was reconstructed. Other buildings were moved from nearby locations: a workshop from the Barber Farm, a barn from Hannewald Road, and a granary from Parks Road. Three miles down the road, a one-room country school was acquired from Stockbridge Community Schools.

Now the Waterloo Area Historical Society is approaching a new century and we find it necessary to do some major repairs. Several joists rotted off due to excessive moisture in the farmhouse basement. These were replaced, along with a large beam. Some extra supports were also installed. The work was completed by a specialized craftsman and was done according to Museum standards. Many other repairs have been identified and major fundraising efforts were begun in 1994. Our 180 members and many more friends have supported Waterloo Area Farm and Dewey School Museums through the years. Theodore Roosevelt stated, "We do not acquire history from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children!" With this in mind, the Society must continue to rely on everyone to help maintain our museums for generations to come.

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