Soon Springfield Township residents can get a one-of-a-kind glimpse into the past right in downtown Davisburg.
The Springfield Township Historical Society (STHS) is hosting a grand opening of the Schultz Clock and Harness Shop on Davisburg Road May 19 ? 20 from 9:30 a.m. ? 3:30 p.m. in correspondence with the Community Wide Craft Show and Garage Sale.
‘It’s a very old building. It’s amazing it’s still standing. It was never built to be a long standing structure, I don’t think,? said STHS secretary Judy Hensler.
The Clock and Harness Shop, built originally in the early 1870’s, was donated to the historical society in 1971 by the Schultz family. According to Hensler, the shop was not used for three or four years and was worked on by the Davisburg Rotary over the past two years.
From now on, Hensler and STHS hope the store serves as a gift shop and museum during the warm months of the year. Starting May 19, the STHS hopes to have the shop open on Saturdays or as often as they can find volunteers to work.
‘We want to establish a presence in the community,? said Hensler. ‘Our primary goal is to educate school children to what life was like in the early 1900’s. We also felt like it was part of our duty as owners in downtown Davisburg to open the building to promote the downtown and history of Springfield Township.?
‘It gives us more visibility,? said STHS President Carol Richards. ‘When people go the candle factory (downtown), they can come here as well.?
Visitors to the harness shop will see a wide array of tools and artifacts, including a cider press and bean sorter, as well as several framed historical photographs of around Springfield Township.
‘Most of the artifacts were donated by descendents of early Springfield Township residents,? said Hensler. ‘This is a good example of all the old tools and things before everything was plugged in.?
Tours of the shop were not available before the work of the Rotary and STHS due to the building’s condition. The rotary’s projects included roof replacement to eliminate leaks. Members of STHS have been organizing and hanging the accumulated artifacts since April.
‘We couldn’t let anyone in for safety’s sake. You couldn’t even walk in. There were only little narrow paths (between artifacts and debris),? said Richards.
According to STHS records, the Schultz Clock and Harness Shop was purchased by Fred Schultz in 1933 from William Barsby. Schultz made harnesses and repaired clocks. He and his family, which included eight children lived on the second level. The shop closed in the 1950’s and was vacant in 1966. STHS records also indicate the shop was for sale for $2,100 in 1969.
The Community Wide Craft Show and Garage Sale is May 19 ? 20 from 9:30 a.m. ? 3:30 p.m. at Mill Pond Park in Davisburg. For more info on tables and registration call Springfield Township Parks and Rec at 248-634-0412.