Opening: May 21, 2026 11am-5pm. Regular hours are Thu-Fri-Sat from 11am-5pm and Sunday 12-5pm through Sept. 27th..
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.
Reader’s Choice Award For Best Landmark!
Music in the Barn July 15-17, 2016
Here’s a few photos from this years event. There’s also more on the Thumb Octagon Facebook page. Click here to open a new window to view. Join us at the Thumb Octagon Barn July 15, 16 & 17 for 3 evenings of entertainment. Proceeds from the event will help benefit…
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:
