Sanilac County Historical Society

“VOLUNTEERS AREN’T PAID,

NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE WORTHLESS,

BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE PRICELESS!”

Volunteers are the lifeblood of our society.  Without them, nothing good happens.  We want to encourage more volunteers and make it a better, more meaningful experience.  The education committee has developed a series of 3 programs to assist in this by providing information as well as seeking suggestions and input in ways to do an even better job of fulfilling our mission.   Whether you’ve volunteered for years or have yet to try it, we think these programs will be well worth your time whether you attend one, two or all three.  Each session will include a general session, informational sessions on different buildings and artifacts plus lunch with questions and answers.  You’ll get a tour including places the public doesn’t see, an opportunity to ask questions and make suggestions plus socialize over lunch.  Our board feels you are so important they are providing this at no cost.  Classes are limited to 20 people each and preregistration is required.  All classes are on Saturdays from 9am to noon at the Historic Village and are open to members and non-members.  Here is the schedule.

Saturday April 26^th.  The Barn (theater),  General Store, Dairy Museum, Carriage Barn, the Nature Trail, Banner Log Cabin and Barn, Huckins One Room School and lunch with Q & A.

Saturday May 3^rd.  The Forestville Church, Hound Town Cabin, Hunting and Fishing Cabin, Lakeshore Cabin, Deckerville Train Depot, the Blacksmith Shop, Hearse Shed, Privy, a history of the village and lunch with Q & A.

Saturday May 10^th.    This session is devoted to our crown Jewel, the Loop/Harrison Mansion including information on all 3 floors, construction and architecture, current concerns, structural challenges, the grounds, information on the various displays and thousands of stored artifacts and documents.

To get more information or register, call the museum at 810 622-9946 or

Gil Orris at 810 543-1791.  We guarantee you will learn something new. 

See you there.

George Lawson and Gil Orris, Your education committee.

Civil War Days 2014

This year Civil War Days will be celebrated on Saturday, August 2nd and Sunday, August 3rd.

Our festivities take place on the grounds of the Sanilac County Historic Village & Museum, amidst vintage buildings that provide the perfect setting.

Encampments, skirmishes, artillery, notable persons -- we have it all!

We also feature music, a Grand Ball and a vintage church service.


Our full schedule of events will be posted in a future update

Make plans to join us as we continue to mark the sesquicentennial of the Civil War.



To view an article about previous Civil War Days at The Museum, complete with photo illustrations, please visit Passion for the Past.

 While visiting Port Sanilac for Civil War Days you may also wish to take in a free    musical performance at Harbor Park because The East Ports Blues Festival will be  celebrated the same weekend.  You can find more information at their event page  on Facebook.