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Wellington Farm "Where It's
Always 1932"
Experience the past at a
Historic Working Farm Community
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| Frick engine by the new livestock barn |
Coming
Up At Wellington Farm
"Plow
Day" May 5, 2012
Wellington Farm is now closed for the season.
The new season will get underway with our traditional "Plow Day!" This year, that will be on May 5.
Come and bring your tractor and join in the fun of breaking the ground in preparation for planting this year's crops.
If you don't have a tractor, just come, bring the family and enjoy the first farm activity of the season, roam about the
farm, see all the new animals and enjoy that natural beauty of Spring by hiking our nature trails. "Plow Day"
is a free event, no admission will be charged
Wellington Farm
is now taking reservations for Weddings and Group Hay Rides For more information call 989 529 7331 or ask
a question on our guestbook.
 Welcome to Wellington!
Wellington Farm, USA is a 60-acre open-air interpretive museum designed
to provide an educational opportunity for visitors to experience life as it was in rural mid-America during The Great Depression.
Through a series of displays, a wide variety of exhibits, and beautiful natural settings, the park provides a variety of educational,
recreational, and cultural opportunities for visitors to Northern Michigan.
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Our unique museum honors our heritage by providing visitors and students with the opportunity to experience
history firsthand. The park includes a Visitor's Center, Blacksmith Shop, Grist Mill, Sawmill, Carpenter's Shop,
Machine Shed, Farmer's Market, Farm Animal Barnyard, Summer Kitchen, and the historic Stittsville Church. All of
our buildings are fully functional and in complete operation through performances by volunteers specializing in historical
and dramatic interpretation. A pavilion, petting farm, and nature trails complete the park's beautiful natural setting
in Northern Michigan; approximately 8 miles south of Grayling.
On this site you'll find information about
our history and activities, along with descriptions of our Special Events. We hope you will find all of the
information you are looking for about our unique, interactive, and historical tourist destination.
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OUR MISSION It is the mission of Wellington Farm, USA to provide an interactive, educational opportunity for
visitors to experience life as it was in rural mid-America during The Great Depression. A vital component of our mission
is to stress the importance of our natural resources, highlighting the wonders of our beautiful Northern Michigan surroundings
and detailing the ecology of the beech/maple forest.
OUR HISTORY Wellington Farm, USA was
a farming community in the southwest corner of Crawford County, Michigan. It existed officially from 1881 until 1918,
that being the period of time when the post office was in operation. The Wellington Post Office had possibly 8 different
sites, and Wellington Farm, USA is located near one of these sites.
One of the very early settlers was Wellington Batterson. He homesteaded in the area in 1878.
In 1879, when Crawford County was organized, he assumed the duty of Judge. He was later elected Judge of Probate, a
title that he held for many years. It is likely that the post office and the community were named for Judge Batterson.
In 1910, Judge Batterson was instrumental in a publication designed
to stimulate interest in farming in Crawford County. It was hoped that this publication would entice immigrants to come
to the area and take up farming. The most profitable cash crops at the time were clover seed and potatoes.
In 1918, the duties of the Wellington Post Office were taken over
by the nearby City of Grayling, MI and slowly the community of Wellington began to disappear. A few of the old homes
and farm buildings still exist, but most of what was once a bustling farming community is now gone. Wellington Farm, USA is the creation of a local resident
who, by his own admission, was born more years ago than he'd like to admit on a farm in northwest lower Michigan.
The only son of a farmer and a school teacher, Howard Taylor earned degrees from both Central Michigan University and Michigan
State University. He began a 30-year career in education, teaching music and theatre.
Upon his retirement from teaching, Howard began creating a living history farm in Crawford County near
Grayling, MI. Discovering some of the aforementioned history of the area, Taylor began researching material and developing
interpretive and educational stories and presentations to entertain visitors to the park. An avid collector of farm
equipment, he expanded his collection to include authentic buildings.
Taylor's wife, Gloria, urged him to combine his passions into the current Wellington Farm, USA.
In 1996 the "doors" were opened to the public and tours of the facility were offered complete to every historical
detail acknowledged in the buildings, dress, and storytelling enjoyed by those who experience the park.
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Just a few of the "smilin' faces" waiting to meet you
at
Wellington Farm, USA
"Where It's Always 1932"
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Wellington Farm, USA
"Where It's Always 1932" 6940 S. Military Road Grayling, MI 49738
989 348 5187
howard@i2k.net
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Please sign our guest book to offer comments, ask questions or join our mailing list.
Sign our Guestbook
Wellington Farm "Where It's Always 1932" 6944 S. Military Road ** Grayling, MI 49738
1-989-348-5187
Wellington Farm Park is an excellent
place for Weddings, Birthday Parties, Family Reunions, Company Picnics, Business Meetings or any other group outing.
Please consider allowing us to host your next event! Call 989 348 5187 today, or email welfar32@gmail.com
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