New documentary on the Leelanau County Poor Farm

Narrated by storyteller and musician, Norm Wheeler, the film includes appearances by historical reenactor Susan Odom and the massive draft horses of Fantail Farms.

Educator and barn preservation expert, Steve Stier shows viewers the unusual architecture of 100-year-old Poor Farm Barn and how it was used. According to Stier, “This is a historically significant artifact from a time when all farming was done by hand.”

The film includes childhood memories of farm operations by descendants of the Poor Farm manager, called the Keeper. Now in his 90s, Duane Newman describes his role in helping with the planting and harvesting at the Poor Farm as a teenager.

Project leaders for LCHPS include local historian and founding board member, Barbara Siepker and Tina Mehren, who secured $20,000 in funding, including a grant from Rotary Charities of Traverse City and a matching grant from Michigan Humanities. From a wide array of historical photographs, images of historical artifacts, and interviews, they hope viewers imagine and connect to the farming practices and public care for the vulnerable in society of 100 years ago,

Mehren stated, “We feel so fortunate to have had Joe’s involvement. As a longtime county resident and historical advocate, he understood how to capture detailed, cinematic views of the architecturally significant barn and enhanced cinematic representations of activities on the old farm. From gardening to canning to working in the fields with a team of horses, the film truly transports the viewer. Thanks to the preservation efforts of LCHPS, this familiar and renowned building is now a lasting relic of a bygone era of cooperative welfare in the United States.”

LCHPS hopes this short documentary will be a lasting educational contribution to the local historical record and will further facilitate discussions and support the decision-making of community stakeholders who are coming together under the County Park Commission to plan for the future use of the site.

LCHPS will provide a big screen viewing of this film on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at The Bay Theatre in Suttons Bay. Details of that event will be forthcoming.

About the Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society: The Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society (LCHPS) is a nonprofit community and educational organization whose purpose is to facilitate the preservation and rehabilitation of historic structures in Leelanau County, Michigan. Decisions to preserve consider the structure’s importance to Leelanau County history and culture, along with community well-being, civic identity, and sustainability.

In keeping with our organization’s mission, potential uses for the Poor Farm Barn shall be educational and designed to benefit the residents of Leelanau County. These uses should also be in keeping with the park-like setting of the County Poor Farm Barn encompassed within the Myles Kimmerly Recreation Area of Leelanau County.