We are closed for the 2024 season. See you next year!
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.
2016 Annual Meeting News
On April 16, 2016, the Friends hosted the annual meeting along with an auction to raise funds to support the restoration of the Thumb Agricultural Museum. The evening started with a social hour followed by a wonderful dinner catered by McDonald’s Food and Family Center. The 120 attendees were treated…
2016 Fall Family Days
Photos from this years event. Thank you for coming out and enjoying our Barn! Here’s all the details from 2016:
2016 Events Flyer
Here’s our new flyer outlining everything going on this season at the Thumb Octagon Barn. This year’s theme is “Our Wonderful World of Water”. Come on out see how we’re Saving the Past for Tomorrow’s Future! Check out our Calendar page for other events
Women Suffrage Tea at the Barn August 4, 2016
Women Suffrage Tea at the Barn August 4, 2016 from 3-5pm $15.00 per person – Adults only please (payable upon reservation) Food – Door prizes – Souvenir Tea Cup – entertainment – Tours of house (Tours of the barn for those who are interested), Note, only 25 seats available. Contact: Carolyn Longmuir…
