Chesterfield Township Historical Society celebrates Log Cabin Day – The Voice

A log cabin from 1939 stands in the Chesterfield Township Historical Village. (Katelyn Larese — MediaNews Group)

Michigan Log Cabin Day is celebrated on June 30 in Chesterfield Township.

The Chesterfield Township Historical Society will open the doors to an 85-year-old log cabin on the historic village grounds from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. In addition, the Friends of the Chesterfield Township Library will offer activities and crafts for children.

Log Cabin Day is a federal holiday observed on the last Sunday in June each year to celebrate the state’s pioneer heritage.

In 2005, a 1939 log cabin was restored in Chesterfield Township after the building was moved to the historic village from an undeveloped wooded area near 29 Mile and Campground Roads in Washington Township.

The cabin was owned by Bob Neilsen’s family, who used it for annual gatherings. His father, Cortland Neilsen, laid the foundation for the custom-built home by the Pioneer Log Cabin Company in 1939. According to the historical society, the cabin was built in one day. No nails were used; the logs were marked with numbers and fitted together in tongue and groove. The walls and rafters were built with sledgehammers. Family members also painted the interior of the cabin with five coats of varnish. The kitchen had an icebox and a wood stove. The cabin never had electricity.

The interior and exterior of the log cabin were restored. In addition to the log cabin, a pump house and a unique spiral-shaped outhouse were also acquired.

The Chesterfield Township Historical Society was founded in 1993 to preserve the history of the township. Its mission statement is: “To preserve and promote community life in Chesterfield Township and the Anchor Bay areas of Michigan.”

The Chesterfield Township Historical Village is located at 47275 Sugarbush Road. For more information, call 586-949-0400 or visit chesterfieldhistoricalsociety.org.

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