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That does not mean, however, that its supportive historical society isn't continuing its plans to breathe new life into it when the renewing warmth of spring melts the ice on the roof and chases the cold air from its halls.

In the year 2000, the Wilkinson Homestead Historical Society came into existence, dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of a house in Eastport.

It was originally owned by Robert Richmond Wilkinson who was an area farmer in the late 1800s. According to WHHS literature, "The house is a good example of 1900 architecture. It still has the original window and door frames, a hand pump and basin, its original cook stoves and some furniture.Ó

Society President Dick Saul described it as, "A typical, run-of-the-mill house from that time period.

Board member Loraine Mottern added, "This house exemplifies a working class home and the working class profile of what Eastport was at the time.Ó

After sitting vacant for some 40 years, local interest, spearheaded by author Betty Beeby began a drive to attain the house and begin restoring it. Since then, a growing band of volunteers and supporters have garnered grants, held fund-raisers and taken donations.

The Society now has a board of directors and a newsletter that goes to over 200 members, and is sent as far away as Great Britain. The group even has a blog, torchlakeviews.wordpress.com, that enjoys lively discussion of local area history and includes a link to the Wilkinson site. Saul is proud of the improvements that have been made to date.

"There is now a boardwalk in the back, a new roof and we rebuilt the woodshed that once attached to the west side of the house,"he said. "People have been great about pitching in. When the board decides something needs to be done, there always seems to be plenty of us willing to get at it.Ó

Mottern talks of the progress in improving the grounds.

"A great deal of clearing down to Eastport Creek has taken place,"she said. "Old tires and gas cans, along with undergrowth and general debris has been hauled away. Neighbors and others have been generous with their donations of plants and flowers, many of which are from the turn of the century.Ó

And the projects continue on. This year the Historical Society plans to install a new well and make upstairs improvements, and the path down to Eastport Creek will continue to be cleared. There is also the possibility of extending visiting hours, as the house becomes more and more the museum that its supporters envision.

What seems to be most rewarding is the ability for the historical society to share what they have found with the public. Two years ago, the house was open for viewing four different weekends. Last year hours were extended, and it was open for two hours every Sunday in July and August. The plan is to continue those hours for the upcoming year. Interest and visitation has steadily grown to an average of six to seven visitors a day.

The historical society is currently in the midst of an important fund-raiser to support the upcoming improvements. Through Feb. 15, they are sponsoring their annual Geranium planter order. Items can be ordered by mailing a request for an order form to: Wilkinson Homestead Historical Society (P.O. Box 102, Eastport, 49627), or call Loraine Mottern at 231-599-2546 for more information.

It is amazing that seven years have gone by since those first heroic efforts to save this domestic monument of history. To the best of their knowledge, Saul and Mottern believe there is only one other museum house that is available for public viewing in the county.

The Historical Society has taken a sad abandonment and converted it into a type of time machine that provides a pathway to the past and a window through which visitors can peer in and view life as it was in early Antrim County. They are moving ahead with their efforts to look into the past. Make plans to stop and peak in.

Jeff Kessler can be reached at perkins90@hotmail.com