Expansion of the Pioneer Village to Start in 2009.

Paul Bunyan Land is happy to announce that an expansion of the Pioneer Village has started.  More of a re-organization into existing buildings to maximize the area that is used for display's and to maximize the number of antiques that can be dispalyed at any given time.  This year has started off great.

The first building that is being refurbished is a building that has not been used for displaying antiques or displays in the past, but used to be a storage building for all off the odds and ends and also a set for "Santa's Workshop" during the Enchanted Village of Lights. The inside of the building has been painted and a new floor added.  A few display windows need to be installed to complete the layout of the building, but progress is being made.  Within a couple of weeks the new Professional Building will be complete.  This building will house the offices of a dentist, doctor, optometrist and a small pharmacy.

The bulding that had formerly contained the antiques for the above mentioned building is now also in the process to become the 1st Pioneer Bank of Birchridge. The era of this display will range from the Mid 1890's to 1940's.

The third building that will be constructed has yet to be named.  This building comes about due to a recent generous donation from a local Brainerd Citizen who, at one time, had the largest collection of Photography equiptment and memorabelia in the Mid-west.  With the sheer size of this donation and the number of the items that will need to be properly curated and displayed we, the owners of Paul Bunyan Land, feel that a complete building (approx 20' by 20') will need to be constructed in order to do the donation proper justice.  Watch for a news story soon to tell you more about this recent donation.  The founder of the Pioneer Village, Richard Rademacher, has a well known promise that once any item reaches the Museum grounds that it will never leave.  In the 35 years of collections and donations to This Old Farm Pionner Village not ONE item, not even a salt shaker, has ever been traded, sold, bartered or otherwise exchanged in ownership.

Forth renovation planned is for the Barn.  The barn currently displays an array of antiques ranging from Buggies to bicycles to washing machines.  The plan for this building to reorganize and restructure the displays.  One of the displays in mind is to have a the milking process from begining to end, from milking the cow to delivery to the door step in the early 1900's.

We encourage you to visit us this summer and see our progress.  Thank you for all of your understanding while construction and restructuring is happening to better the museum displays.  As always our family invites you to step into the past at This Old Farm Pioneer Village.  Make sure to mark your calendars for our upcoming Old Heritage Antique Power Club Show and Our This Old Farm Showdays.  Check the EVENTS section of our website for more information.