Old Rugged Cross

Historical Museum

780 North Park Street
P.O. Box 27
Reed City, Michigan 49677

The Old Rugged Cross Historical Museum is an outgrowth of a memorial cross erected and dedicated on September 14, 1954, north of Reed City, Michigan, near the Home of Rev. and Mrs. George Bennard. Rev. Bennard was the author of the well-loved hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross, " written in 1913.

The museum presently contains mementos and relics not only from the Bennard home, but also from the original Osceola County Historical Museum, which was opened in downtown Reed City, Michigan on August 1, 1968. The present museum opened August 19, 1990.

The museum contains three rooms. The first room is divided into six rooms, depicting life in the Reed City Area before 1900: dining room, kitchen, parlor, bedroom, office (items from Reed City Businesses), and a clothing room.

The second room contains displays of early farm equipment, shop tools, models of early logging operations, Indian artifacts, two early stage curtains, (complete with advertising), equipment from the reed City factory of Michigan Cottage Cheese, an antique fire hose cart, and a 1930's era fire truck and equipment.

The museum's third room is devoted to the life, possessions and music of the Rev. George Bennard. It contains furniture, personal items and music from the Bennard home, which was located on Mackinaw Trail, (Old US 131), 4 ½ miles north of US-10.

The museum also houses the archives of the Reed City Area Genealogical Society. This collection includes microfilms of old Reed City Area newspapers and Osceola County census records, obituaries, plat books, family files and old pictures. These resources are available to the public during regular museum hours and by appointment.

HOURS:

Call for hours

Phone: (231)832-5431

Admission: FREE

(Donations encouraged to defray expenses.)

Located near the US-131/US-10 Intersection.


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