Historic Charlton Park

Last weekend we took a drive to visit my niece Katelyn and her husband Nathan.  They live about an hour from us and we've been wanting to see their place.  It was a beautiful, sunny day, just perfect for a drive.
Katelyn and Nathan live in such a nice location - it's about 10 minutes from town, but it feels like it's out in the country.

 Here's the view from the back of their yard.  I think that old shed is full of charm.

And look at the side yard!  Katelyn says she loves to sit and read out there.


After we visited for a while, Katelyn took us to a nearby park that she's told me a needed to visit for some time.
Historic Charlton Park sits on 310 acres on the Thornapple River.  The village is made up of buildings that have been brought together to recreate a Michigan village from the turn of the century.  There is a lawyers home, blacksmith shop, bank and insurance office, barber shop, inn and stagecoach shop, church, carpenter shop, carriage house, general store, hardware store, schoolhouse, printshop, cabin, sawmill and the original township hall from the area.  I love history and old buildings so this was very interesting.
There are days throughout the year that these buildings are open, and have people dressed in period clothing working in them.  On the day we were there, everything was closed and we just looked in the windows to see what it looked like.  Some day I'd like to go back when it's all open.
Here's a few pictures:

 Here we are walking up to the village.

 This home was originally owned by Dr Upjohn, who founded Upjohn Pharmaceuticals.

Isn't this a cute barber shop?

This is a museum.  Such a beautiful building!

 Katelyn and Bob standing in front of the museum.

The sawmill.

 The Thornapple River.

 The schoolhouse and the town hall.

The General Store, Hardware store and print shop.

 Looking into the General Store.

 The Carpenters shop

A beautiful old church.

The drive heading out of the park.
What a nice day.  Thanks Katelyn and Nathan!