Historical Village in Prudenville, Roscommon County, United States | Museum

Welcome to Historical Village, Prudenville, United States. Once You get in side the Historical Village gate you will be able to wander around the Village and go into our 13 Historic Building, which reflect many aspects of life of Logging era Prudenville and Michigan. Historical Village Museum with historical School Room

An original hand hewn log school house built in 1876 to serve the children of Edna, now named Prudenville. The first school of Houghton Lake has a fully restored classroom. The Museum displays local logging artifacts, pictures and articles. The Building was originally located about 1/2 mile south of what is now Prudenville on M-18. The 1890 census recorded 18 students in this school. In 1972 when Kronner Pharmacy wished to expand their operation the offered it to the public and thus the Historical Society was formed. Displayed in the front section of the Schoolhouse is the equipment used by Michigan physician and surveyor, Douglas Houghton after whom Houghton Lake was named. The Second Floor is a living area that would have been typically found in a hotel or a home at the turn the 20th Century

The classroom on the main flour has been recreated as it was when it was a working schoolhouse. During Village Days you can experience being in a classroom with the School Marm or School Master.

The General Store is a combined display building and actual Store. The store sells goodies reminiscent of yesteryear. As in most Towns in early America the general store is also the site of the local post office. The Edna postal stamp is used during Village Days. Edna was the original name of Prudenville, Michigan.  Small white historic Chapel with Blue trim. The Chapel is inside the Historical Village and is graced with a Blue cross on the front of a traditional bell tower.  This charming Historical Chapel was built the old fashioned way, by a community effort and can accommodate 35 people. It is available for modern day weddings and other services. Chapels like this one were often the Center of life in the Village and was not only a place of worship but was the social center of the community The Chapel Bell and pews all donated items. During Village Days there is a Sunday morning service in the chapel with traditional Gospel Music.

The cook shack is an operating kitchen which has been renovated to resemble a logging camp cooking shanty. Meals are prepared and served there during Village Days and at other special times during the year. Near the Cook Shack is a covered picnic table area where you can enjoy the Cook Shack food or a lunch that you bring.  The print shop features printing equipment that dates to the 1850’s. During that time printers used to handset type and printing presses were powered by a treadle. The “stone” hand set furniture and the Peer-less press in the Edna Times Shop was donated by the Houghton Lake Resorter. The treadle press is owned by Robert Sweet of Higgins Lake and is on loan to