Memorial Day Tribute

Each memorial day we honor a veteran of each war at Elmwood Cemetery.

Biographical and Historical information is presented at the each gravesite.

The Glenn Hill Post of the American Legion color guard offers the salute.

Refreshments are served at the museum after the Tribute.

Veterans Day

The Cedar Springs Museum hosts an open house each veterans day.  Visitors are encouraged to view the military display and add their own military history to our genealogy  department.

Historical Society

The Historical Society meets at 3:30 every third Wednesday of each month, at the museum. 
 Please join us!
 

Brief History of Cedar Springs

Cedar Springs in 1885

looking north on Main Street*

The Michigan Legislature incorporated Cedar Springs as a village in March of 1871. At the time it was a major hub for the timber history. As a result of the logging activity a unique enterprise began in Cedar Springs. Red Flannel Garments were sold here, but were not made here until 1952 when Mrs. Mae Oppenneer started making them in her home later sold the business to Mrs. Sally Wall. Mrs. Wall established the Red Flannel Factory that was in operation for about forty years. That business continued beyond the lumber industry era, and still exists today as a viable part of the community.

The village became the City of Cedar Springs in October 1959. The change was stimulated by the need to develop a water distribution system and sanitary sewers unrelated to Solon and Nelson Township’s, who’s common boarders ran through the middle of the village and therefore, both Township’s deriving tax revenue from property owners within the Village.

The Cedar Springs Historical Museum is located in Morley Park just off south Main Street.  

Visiting the museum allows you to step back into time as you tour the one-room Payne School that was moved to the park in 1971.  The school has been renovated to reflect the century long era in public education when one teacher, lodging with a school family, taught all eight grades.  Land for these schools was reserved as townships were established throughout Michigan in its early days as a State.  As townships grew, more schools were established so that pupils would not have to walk more than two or three miles to school.

West side of South Main Street 1900's

In the museum itself, you step into the history of Cedar Springs and its surrounding area.  Established as a lumber town in 1856, Michigan boasted numerous lumber and shingle mills.  For a number of years, it was the northern terminus of the Grand Rapids and Indiana (Pennsylvania) Railroad  and also was the crossing point for east-west Toledo, Saginaw, and Muskegon (Grand Trunk) Railroad.  The museum's displays reflect this lumbering and farming heritage.  In the yard, you will find a stump puller that was used to clear the stumps so that the land could be farmed.

In addition to the many displays, the museum offers the following services:

 

Genealogy assistance for Cedar Springs area
Census information for research
Research done for you - fees available by contacting 
Microfilm access
Yearbooks from Cedar Springs [ some years ]
Composite pictures of Classes in early school years
Rental of the Payne Schoolhouse for elementary classes (Class materials available to teachers for use here)
Maps and Plat books 1800's-1900's
Cedar Springs History
 

HOURS FOR THE MUSEUM BEING OPEN

Wednesdays  10am - 5pm
Special hours and tours by appointment are available as well
as rental of the one room schoolhouse for elementary classes.

Museum Closing

When the Cedar Springs Schools are closed due to weather conditions, the museum will also be closed. Watch channel 8 news.

West Side of Main Street 1912

Looking North

You may contact the museum staff by mail, email or phone at the following addresses:

Cedar Springs Historical Museum
PO Box 296   60 Cedar Street
Cedar Springs MI  49319-0296
E-mail:csmuseum@wingsisp.com
Telephone:    616-696-3335

Page Updated 07/08/2009