Empire Area Museum

Heritage Day is October 11

The Empire Area Museum celebrates Heritage Day this year on Saturday, October 11 from 1 to 4 p.m. The 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.

    

The Museum and Store

The Empire Area Museum's main building has a small store and two large floors filled with exhibits of Empire area history. More exhibits are showcased in three auxiliary buildings: the Schoolhouse, the Fire-Hose House, and the Billy Beeman Barn.

Hours of Operation

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


JuneSaturday1–4 p.m.
JulyTuesday–Saturday1–4 p.m.
AugustTuesday–Saturday1–4 p.m.
SeptemberSaturday1–4 p.m.
Membership

Become a member! Click here for a membership form and send your support!


 $10.00Single Membership
 $25.00Family Membership
 $50.00Business Membership
$100.00Century Club Membership

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The Schoolhouse

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 a woodburning stove and an outdoor water pump and outhouse.

The Fire-Hose House

The Fire-Hose House was formerly located on Empire's Front Street and features a room with hand-pulled fire equipment used from 1898 to 1949. Museum administrative offices are also housed in this building.

The Billy Beeman Barn

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