Protecting the Resources

Supplementing Park visits aid greatly in keeping tabs on the condition of these resources. Whether you guard a farm, a cottage, a log cabin, inn, or any other historic property, you will be helping to preserve and maintain these cultural treasures  that grace the landscape and tell of our history. In partnership with the Lakeshore, you can become a steward of these historic resources through Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear’s adoption program. A volunteer’s report will provide information that may not otherwise have received attention for some time.

Project Description:
Volunteers will commit to surveying the historic property they adopt on a regular basis (changes seasonally) using our checklist to report any problems needing attention. These might be a broken entry, missing boards, animal damage, broken windows.  We’ve had significant issues with porcupines eating the clapboard and need to treat these areas immediately. After each survey of the property and submission to our lead for this program, we will work with the park to address the issue. Adopters will not make repairs on buildings initially, but if qualified may be approved to remedy the issue. They are permitted to move fallen branches around the property, pick up litter, and temporarily secure open entries. More than one volunteer can be the Guardian of a building or landscape.

Volunteers Qualifications:
Volunteer’s can drive to some locations, while others may require some hiking so you should be in good health.  Individuals that are thorough and pay attention to detail will be most helpful. Sometimes a family adopts a farm like Brendan shown lower right. He and his Mom have adopted the Eckerdt farm over the past four years. We love that a new generation is learning to care for our history!