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Welcome to the Friends of the Thumb Octagon Barn Web Site!
The Octagon Barn and Purdy House are open daily
What is a barn?
The barn is a warehouse and a factory, a place of business, and a storehouse for farm equipment. It is one of the farmer's most important agricultural tools.
The barn was originally used for threshing grain, milking cows, and storing hay. But it was also a place for dancing, playing, and courting. It was the heart of the farm and a vital part of the community.
May - October from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. for tours.
The Thumb Octagon Barn is located in Tuscola County approximately 1 mile east of the Village of Gagetown along Bay City Forestville Road 1 mile north on Richie Road, just south of the Huron County border.
What exists on this site today is the result of a vision, a team effort, generous contributions and many hours of planning, organization, and plain hard work. The vision began in the minds of a few neighbors who did not want to see such an awesome structure and piece of agricultural history be destroyed in the name of 'convenience' or 'progress'. And so began the Friends of the Thumb Octagon Barn organization - a rescue effort to save the barn from demolition, then restore the barn, then restore the house and surrounding grounds. Fund-raising efforts have grown into annual events known around the state. The vision to preserve has grown into a plan to own and operate an educational/historical/agricultural site for the education, recreation and entertainment of the community and visitors.
Currently the Barn has over 644 members - many from all over the State of Michigan and around the country. Members may receive the Barn Newsletter and volunteer their time to help out if they are able. There are always work activities, festivals, gatherings and restoration upkeep that bring members together in the community. Help is always needed and appreciated. Upkeep is ongoing....
Thank you for stopping by,
the FRIENDS of the THUMB OCTAGON BARN