Community Farms

NEW EXHIBIT AT THE BELLEVILLE AREA MUSEUM

Budd farm house constructed by John Randall Budd on the north side of Chase Road (now I-94). The house no longer stands.

A new exhibit, “Generation to Generation: A History of Community Farms” will open Saturday, August 11 at the Belleville Area Museum.

As the community’s rural way of life fades into the past, this new exhibit focuses on its farming heritage. “Generation to Generation” highlights the history of the Budd family, Van Buren Township farmers since 1860, and in Sumpter Township, the Miller family, who settled on Elwell Rd. in 1885.

The exhibit also includes information on the Bemis Road Reynolds farm which is located in both Van Buren and Sumpter Townships, as well as the former Coykendall farm once known for the floral business operated out of it many greenhouses.

“Generation to Generation” also contains examples of specialized farm equipment as well as scenes depicting the common work areas of the farm home, including the sewing room, the laundry area, and the kitchen.

A highlight of the exhibit is a photographic collection by Mr. Keith Bruder who has captured the images of multiple community barns, both existing and those which no longer stand.

The farm exhibit will open in conjunction with the Belleville “Barn Tour 2007,” also on August 11. The barn tour is presented by the Belleville Rotary Club, the Michigan Barn Preservation Network, and the Belleville Area Museum. Tour tickets may be purchased at the museum which will be open on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Belleville Area Museum is located at 405 Main Street, Belleville.

For information, call the museum at 734-697-1944.

Van Buren Township

46425 Tyler Rd. Van Buren Twp, MI 48111

(734)699-8900

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