Okemos in Ingham County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Pioneer Living

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, June 4, 2021

1. Pioneer Living Marker

Inscription. Perkins-Copland Log Cabin The first dwelling for most pioneers was a log cabin, usually built from trees that had been cut down to clear the land. In the mid 1800s Jim and Alice Perkins started a farm in Williamstown Township, and built their home on the farm. The property was purchased by Michigan State University Professor Earvin Vanderjadt who planned to burn down the cabin.

Haslett Middle School Program Haslett school teacher Jane Taylor convinced Vanderjadt to donate the cabin to the Haslett School District to be used as a teaching tool.

Fellow teacher Robert Copland (cope-land) put together a hands-on program in the early 1970s for middle school students. Copland, along with Jane Taylor, Raymond Koerner and others developed a “Pioneer Living and Outdoor Education” class.

The students went with Copland to the site in Williamstown Township, took the building apart, meticulously marked each log for reassembly and moved the logs to the hill behind the middle school. The cabin was used for nearly a decade until budget cuts ended the class.

The Friends of Historic Meridian were able to acquire the cabin from the Haslett School District in 2006 and moved and reassembled the cabin at the Meridian Historical Village in 2007. It remains in use today as a teaching tool

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for elementary students to learn about life as a pioneer settler.

Erected by Meridian Historical Village.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 42° 43.845′ N, 84° 24.911′ W. Marker is in Okemos, Michigan, in Ingham County. Marker can be reached from Marsh Road, 0.3 miles north of Central Park Drive, on the left when traveling north. Marker is part of the Meridian Historical Village. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5151 Marsh Rd, Okemos MI 48864, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Commerce (within shouting distance of this marker); The Farmstead (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Star Windmill (about 300 feet away); Education and Faith (about 300 feet away); Travel in the 1800s (about 500 feet away); Okemos Methodist Church (approx. 1.1 miles away); Chief Okemos / Okemos Village (approx. 1.2 miles away); Haslett (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Okemos.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, June 4, 2021

2. Pioneer Living Marker

Meridian Historical Village image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J.T. Lambrou, June 4, 2021

3. Meridian Historical Village

Marker is part of the Meridian Historical Village in Okemos, Michigan.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 9, 2021, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.