Heritage Day is October 11

The Empire Area Museum celebrates Heritage Day this year on Saturday, October 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. This family-friendly event features old-time music and old-fashioned arts and crafts and tricks and treats. Treats include Moomers ice cream, free popcorn, and samples of maple sugar candy, apple cider and butter made on site. Tricks of the old-time trades are on exhibit, and demonstrations include log cutting, yarn spinning, quilting, rug hooking, washboard laundering, chair caning, corn shelling, sauerkraut making, and more. Admission is free, and the Glen Lake Fire Department will also be open for tours next door.

Museum Hours

The museum is open primarily for the summer and for special events. Admission is free!

The Empire Area Museum has a small store and two large floors of exhibits. More can be found in three auxiliary buildings: the Schoolhouse, Fire-Hose House, and Billy Beeman Barn.

The Schoolhouse is nestled in the woods behind the main museum building. This one-room structure was also once used as a church. It includes an outdoor water pump and outhouse.

The Fire-Hose House was formerly located on Empire's Front Street and features hand-pulled fire equipment used from 1898 to 1949. Museum offices are also located here.

The Billy Beeman Barn is home to several large exhibits, including a 1956 Sleeping Bear Dunesmobile and a horse-drawn sleigh, stagecoach, hearse, and more.