The Clark family buggy makes its first appearance in the Clarkston Heritage Museum. It was donated to the Clarkston Community Historical Society in the 1990s. Photo provided.

The Clarkston Heritage Museum has recently unveiled a new exhibit “Object History: The Story Behind the Artifact” featuring artifacts from the museum’s permanent collection as well as a rare piece currently on loan to illustrate stories from Clarkston’s past.
A brand-new exhibit at the Clarkston Heritage Museum creatively illustrates stories from Clarkston’s past using important artifacts from the museum’s permanent collection – along with a fun and rarely seen piece currently on loan.
“Our exhibits are always about connecting current and future generations to our community’s history, and so we want people to know that the artifacts we acquire and preserve help bring these stories to life,” said Museum Director Toni Smith. “We’re getting great feedback, and we thank those who’ve generously donated or loaned artifacts over the years. And, of course, we are always excited to discover new pieces of history as we continue our mission.”
Highlights of the exhibit, which is sponsored by the Clarkston Community Historical Society and was curated by Smith includes:
The first time the museum has displayed the Clark buggy, a horse-drawn carriage that belonged to one of Clarkston’s founding families, and donated to CCHS in the 1990s.
A 1957 HP DeLuxe Pony Cycle and related memorabilia, on loan from Terry Hawke, whose family owned Hawk Tool & Engineering Co. It manufactured, among other things, the motorized Pony Cycle for five years on what is now the Clarkston Mills site. Montgomery Ward sold the cycle in its catalog for about a year but demand greatly outstripped capacity and it was discontinued.
Hand-written records from Clarkston physician Dr. Clark Sutherland (1867-1941), and ephemera and tools from Clarkston’s other early doctors and pharmacies.
A chair and candy jar from the Caribou Inn, a popular tourist destination when Clarkston was still considered “up north.” The inn, which stood at the corner of North Main and West Washington streets, was severely damaged by fire and razed in 1958.
The Clarkston Heritage Museum is located inside the Clarkston Independence District Library, 6495 Clarkston Road, and is open during library hours. Admission is free.
CCHS operates the museum with the proceeds from Art in The Village, which is Sept. 21 and 22 this year. For more details, including how to donate or lend local artifacts, contact the museum at info@clarkstonhistorical.org or 248-922-0270.