Cobblestone Farm and Museum, Ann Arbor

Nestled against the rolling landscapes of Buhr Park, the Cobblestone Farm and Museum offers a serene escape into mid‑19th‑century rural America. Anchored by the iconic Dr. Benajah Ticknor House, built in 1844 in a distinctive herringbone cobblestone pattern by mason Steven Mills, this 4‑acre site is one of Michigan’s rare cobblestone structures-a style that migrated west from New York. The house’s Classical Revival façade, with Doric pilasters flanking its entrance and stone quoins at the corners, rises elegantly from a simple New England–style frame kitchen wing dating back to 1835.

Operate as a city‑owned historic treasure since the 1970s, Cobblestone Farm vividly preserves pioneer life through a living history approach. Inside, original wood‑grained finishes, a hearth with a bake‑oven and water heater, and period furnishings bring 19th‑century domestic routines to life. On the grounds, visitors meet heritage breeds of chickens, goats, ducks, and sheep while exploring a smokehouse, corn crib, log cabin, and other rustic outbuildings.

More than a museum, the farm is a community hub: its oak‑timbered barn, fully climate‑controlled and wheelchair accessible, accommodates weddings, family gatherings, dances, conferences, and seasonal fairs. Throughout the year, events like Hallow Harvest, Spring Fling, and organic farmers’ markets enliven the grounds, while drop‑in tours and educational demonstrations-loom weaving, wood‑stove cooking, pioneer crafts-invite visitors of all ages to connect tangibly with heritage.

Set within the broader green expanse of 39‑acre Buhr Park, with its playgrounds, trails, and wet meadow, Cobblestone Farm makes a gentle counterpoint to Ann Arbor’s energetic core. For history enthusiasts, families, or couples seeking an authentic and quiet retreat, it offers an immersive journey into Michigan’s agrarian past-an experience equally rich in atmosphere as it is in architecture and narrative.