AuSable River Center - Located at 211 N. Main St., Roscommon. The AuSable River Center is open summers on Fridays and Saturdays, noon to 4:30 p.m., beginning May 27th through Labor Day. There you find exhibits that highlight the AuSable River and its great past. Currently there is an exhibit about Verlen Kruger, a man who paddled more than 90,000 miles on some of the most incredible expeditions ever undertaken in a paddle craft. An early model canoe and a later innovative boat that he built will be included in the show as well as his personal gear and journals.
CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) Museum - This museum has many photographs and artifacts depicting the CCC workers day-to-day life and accomplishments, including a replica CCC barracks building with exhibits. This group between 1933 and 1942 planted 484 million trees, constructed 7000 miles of truck trails, 504 bridges and 222 buildings. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day with daily hours from 10 AM to 4 PM. Located across from North Higgins Lake State Park on North Higgins Lake Drive and can be reached at(989) 348-6178.
Fireman’s Memorial - Located on County Rd. 103, just off Exit 239 of I-75,near Roscommon, is a monument dedicated to all fire fighters that have died in the line of duty. This memorial is one of the few in the nation to honor these fallen heroes. Each year usually during the 3rd week of September, a festival is held in remembrance these brave citizens. During this festival there is a parade, antique equipment demonstration, a memorial service, a light parade, music, dancing, emergency crew competitions and many more planned activities. The Firemen’s Memorial Festival Committee, Inc. can be reached at (989)275-5880.
Gallimore Boarding House & Richardson Schoolhouse- Located in downtown Roscommon. The 1880's built Gallimore Boarding House operated as a boarding house from 1904 to 1931. It has three rooms furnished to that period, two exhibit rooms and a gift shop. The Richardson Schoolhouse (1914-1955) is being restored as a museum. Open on Saturdays and Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Houghton Lake Historical Village - The Historical Village contains Eleven (11) restored 1800’s buildings. These building include a schoolroom, museum, town hall, dress shop, general store, doctor’s office/ pharmacy, barber shop, a homestead, a chapel and others. The Village is open Fridays and Saturdays from Memorial through Labor Day. Every year on the first weekend of August Village Day festival is held in the historical village. During Village Days the historic site comes alive with demonstrations, guides in period costumes, all buildings open and operating. There are also numerous craft and musical demonstrations. Located at 1701 M-55, Prudenville- Friday & Saturday 12 to 4 pm. (989)366-9124 http://www.houghtonlakehistory.com/
Houghton Lake Historical Playhouse - The playhouse is located next to the Historical Village was built in the 1800s. It has recently been restored and now is the site of plays, dances on the wooden floor, Vegas nights, and many other community events. To find out about events that will take place call (989)366-9124 or (989)422-6393.
Kirtland House - Within the house is a large art collection/display featuring the work of the talented students of Kirtland Community College. Located in the heart of Michigan's scenic north woods it’s hidden away on Kirtland’s Community Colleges' beautiful 180-acre wooded campus. On the Kirtland House grounds, it's not uncommon to see deer, wild turkeys and numerous other types of birds and wildlife that call northern Michigan home. The address for the campus is 10775 N. St. Helen Rd. Contact Kirtland Community College at (989)275-5000 ext 418.
Margaret Gahagan Preserve - This ten acre property and cabin home was donated by Marguerite Gahagan, who when moving to the Roscommon area developed a haven for wild animals that she called her “little people.” The property consists of mature white and red pine forests and cedar swamp. A small stream forms on the property, which becomes Tank Creek. The Preserve is open to the public from dawn until dusk. Take M18 to Southline Rd. turn west onto Preserve. (989)275-3217
Mason Tract Retreat - From Chase Bridge in Roscommon to above Smith Bridge there is a special place in the annals of trophy fly-fishing. A section of undeveloped land was given to the State of Michigan in 1955 by the late George W. Mason in a perpetual trust to insure it remains undeveloped. It includes 1500 acres bordering the South Branch of the AuSable River and an additional 1330 acres acquired from the U.S. Forest Service in 1957 that extended its borders. This river winds through the Mason Tract and is one of the finest trout streams in the country. Mired in rich fly fishing lore and history, anglers follow this meandering river through a pristine wilderness as it flows from its headwaters towards the mainstream of the Au Sable. Located in Roscommon County, with more information possible by the DNR. (989)275-4622
Wellington Farm Park - This farm is a 60-acre, open-air, interpretive museum located on Military Road is a working replica of a typical Mid-American farmstead during the 1930s. In this park is a unique Farm Market, full of farm fresh goodies from fresh milled flours and corn meal to home-baked pies. Special events occur throughout the year, the best way to know what is happening is to check out their website www.wellingtonfarmpark.org or call them at
1-888-OLD FARM.
