“Swags of green boughs hang above the windows and interior doorways, while greens adorn the window sills. Milkweed pod stars hang in the windows. Two trees, one in the Paupers’ Parlor and one in the upstairs ladies’ bedroom, are hung with homemade ornaments.”
JoAnne Miller of the Hillsdale County Historical Society described the warm scene of the society’s annual Christmas at the Poorhouse event held at the Will Carleton Poorhouse on Wolcott Street.
After the Poorhouse was deeded to the Historical Society in 1987, renovations were made to the first floor. The annual Christmas celebration began shortly after renovations finished in 1989.
“The Hillsdale County Historical Society taps its more than 130 members for baked goods to sell,” Miller explained. “We support the Society through the sale of baked goods and donations.”
The society occupies two spaces, the Poorhouse and the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds Museum which is open only during the Fair Week in September. They seek “to preserve, advance, and disseminate knowledge of the history of Hillsdale County,” according to their purpose statement.
“We are interested in presenting well-researched, accurate information to the public,” Miller said. “In both our museums, the Will Carleton Poorhouse and the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds Museum, we try to present the history of the county as a series of interesting stories.”
Sophomore Hailey Morgan has volunteered her time at the Historical Society by cataloguing and indexing different articles and records from the founding of Hillsdale through the end of the 20th century.
“Being from the area, I have really enjoyed learning more about the town,” Morgan said. “I have also discovered information about my family who has lived here for many years.”
Morgan has enjoyed learning about the city and the people who made it great, such as Will Carleton.
Carleton, born in 1845 in Hudson, Michigan, always dreamed of attending Hillsdale College. His first attempt to attend was unsuccessful, but after teaching a few years and attending the college preparatory course offered by the school, Carleton enrolled in 1867.
Greatly affected by a childhood visit to a poorhouse with his father, Carleton spent some of his time at Hillsdale talking to the residents of what was then the Hillsdale County Poor Farm and Home. It was from these conversations that Carleton wrote his poem “Over the Hill to the Poorhouse,” which was published in Harper’s Bazaar in 1871.
The poem gained national attention, and moved readers to reconsider leaving their relatives in the county poorhouses.
Today, the Will Carleton Poorhouse transports visitors back to a time when it housed the less fortunate. Tours and artifacts add to the environment to help visitors understand the realities and the services that were available.
“Once people get to the Poorhouse they can tour, getting specific information from the docents about its years as a home of last resort for those unable to care for themselves and those whose families couldn’t or didn’t want to keep them,” Miller said.
Miller describes the home as having a welcoming atmosphere, especially with the Christmas decorations.
“From working with the Historical Society, I have witnessed the volunteers’ dedication to preserving local history and making it attainable to residents,” Morgan said. “The folks who work there really display a passion for what they do, especially when they host events, including the fair displays and their upcoming Christmas event.”
This year, the annual Christmas celebration will open this weekend, Saturday, Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Poorhouse. The event will feature period decorations from the late 1800’s, entertainment, and Christmas treats. Crafts, homemade baked goods, hot chocolate, and coffee will all be available for purchase.
