We will be opening May 24th for the 2025 season!
Saving the past for tomorrow's future! The Thumb Octagon Barn Agricultural Museum 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.
VISION STATEMENT: Our vision is to develop the Thumb Octagon Barn complex for the community as an agricultural museum and educational center open to individuals, families and student groups to educate and stimulate awareness of our agricultural heritage.
MISSION STATEMENT: Our mission is to maintain a volunteer group of Friends of the Thumb Octagon Barn involved in the restoration and preservation of the barn complex as an educational tool preserving our rural and agricultural history for the benefit of our visitors. 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 historical agricultural site for the education, recreation and entertainment of the community and visitors. Currently the Friends of the Thumb Octagon Barn has nearly 800 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...
VALUES STATEMENT: As stewards of the Octagon Barn, we embrace the diversity within our organization and celebrate our many individual talents. We are committed to our visitors and have a passion for the Octagon Barn complex as an educational tool to share with the community our rural heritage. We take on big challenges, and pride ourselves on seeing them completed. We have a responsibility to hold ourselves accountable to the legacy of the Octagon Barn as it continues to grow in the future.
Potato Harvesting at this years Festival
Potatoes were back at the Thumb Octagon Barn site this year. The Walther Farms were kind enough to plant and care for the potato field for demonstrations during Fall Family Days. Rod Romain came back with his Oliver Tractor and one row plow to dig potatoes the old-fashioned way.…
MLIVE 9-9-16: Bring the family to Fall Family Days at the Thumb Octagon Barn
Tuscola Today “Fall Family Days: Thumb Octagon Barn prepares to host 15,000” Great article about this weekend’s Fall Family Days! The Festival also made USA Today: “Octagon Barn Festival in Gagetown Michigan”
2017 School Tours May 10, 11 & 12
Mission Statement: Today…Everyday…Educating…Improving…Working…To Save History For Tomorrow’s Future! 2017 School Tours: For students from pre-school through 8th grade – will be held on Wednesday, May 10th, Thursday, May 11th, and Friday, May 12th at Thumb Octagon Barn, Gagetown. Theme for 2017 is ‘From Farm To Table – Highlighting The Elevator’…
Photos from the August 4th Women’s Suffrage Tea
Click here for photos from the event.
