moved from across the road.

As soon as the pioneer farmer could add another building to house, barn, and privy, he built a workshop. Heat from the forge made it a cozy place to be, the special province of the men and boys. Here in early times, the farmer made implements and gear, neck yokes, whiffletrees, and wagon boxes with fittings hand forged or bought in a kit. In southern Michigan, the first land-rollers were made from logs; bob-sleds, stone boats, and logging boats were also made on the farm. Buggy wheels and harnesses were repaired in the shop and all the little soldering jobs were taken care of, along with tin pans and other odd bits for Ma and the girls.

Before the time of any mechanical reapers, the tines of the grain cradles, wooden rakes, and forks were turned out by hand, as well as wooden spoons, dye paddles, apple butter paddles, rolling pins, and pie lifters to please the ladies. Many pieces of simple furniture came from the home workshop: benches for washtubs and butchering, plank-seated chairs, and wash stands.

Even many of the early block planes were made by the home craftsman. He cut the block from white oak, and the blade, the only bit of metal, was held in with a wedge. Of course, all tool handles for axes, hammers, etc. were worked out from well-dried hickory. A bit of hard cider now and then made the work go more easily. Also, here in slack times or on rainy days, the men folk gathered to plan future work days, or just to talk, safe from the women.

This little building with its hand-hewn beams was originally a pig house on the Barber farm and was a gift to the society by founding members, Milton and Bessie Barber. A forge and brick floor were added to create a workshop.