Historic sign returned to Hillsdale during Summer Farm Festival

“We are the Reichhardt sisters and that’s the barn sign from our old family farm,” Jo Ann Whiting said to bystanders as she and other members of her family looked on Aug. 6 at "Will Carleton Summer Farm Festival." It was the first time they had the opportunity to see the sign displayed at Will Carleton Poorhouse.

The sign, made in 1951 by Jo Ann’s brother David, when he was 10, the Reichhardt family still has the patterns he used to paint the sign.

The family moved to the 130-acre farm just outside of Camden in 1944, where they raised hogs, chickens, rabbits and more. They also grew corn, grain and hay and had a garden full of produce and flowers.

David cut out the letters for the barn sign using a jigsaw.

The sign remained on the barn for almost 30 years before it was taken down in 1982 and moved to Dexter, when David moved there.

This was done just in time. The family farm was sold in 1984.

For the next 40 years, the sign sat in David’s garage, until it was found by a local antiques dealer.

“I think sitting in that barn is really what helped the sign stay in such good shape,” Bonnie Reichhardt, Jo Ann’s sister said.

It took quite a while for the dealer to talk David into selling the sign, but he finally decided to after making the decision to move to Missouri to be closer to his children.

The dealer wanted the sign returned to its original home in Hillsdale County and eventually donated it to the Hillsdale County Historical Society to join their many historical exhibits.

One year after the sign was sold, the society displayed the sign for the first time in their new barn.

“It just brings back such great memories,” Jo Ann said. “It’s so very meaningful for our family to get to see it displayed here as a part of Hillsdale’s history.”

Community members also got a look at the historic sign as they attended the Will Carleton Summer Farm Festival.

Admission was free and attendees had the opportunity to participate in a number of different events like a craft and vendors market and historical displays.

There were more than 25 tractors, provided by the Center Adams Antique Power and Equipment Club, and an antique car on display.

The event was put on by the Hillsdale County Historical Society, which expressed in a statement how much it meant to them to have such a large turnout by the community.

“Your support means the world to us,” the statement said.

Attendees also had the opportunity to see many different historical items on display in the newly-renovated Poorhouse buildings, from documents donated recently by a local family that were signed by President Abraham Lincoln, to an antique fire truck and old farm equipment.

There was also an authentic 1800’s Chuck Wagon on the grounds that had a display of historically-accurate food.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Historic sign returned to Hillsdale