Crawford County Historical Museum

04/02/2026

The event at Pere Cheney scheduled for April 10 has been postponed until May 22 & 23.

03/13/2026

This event has been rescheduled to May 23 & 24.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Paranormal Community Gathers at Historic Pere Cheney to Promote Ethical Investigation and "Paraunity"

GRAYLING, MI – This spring, from April 10th to 12th, 2026, a unique weekend camping event will bring together investigators and enthusiasts at the site of Pere Cheney, Michigan, one of the state's most storied ghost towns. The event aims to foster "paraunity"—a collaborative movement toward ethical, respectful practices in paranormal research. Once a bustling lumber town, Pere Cheney was decimated by diphtheria and recurring fires before being abandoned in 1917. Today, only the Pere Cheney Cemetery
remains, hidden in the Jack Pine forests of Crawford County.

Event Highlights:
Paranormal Unity: The gathering focuses on building a supportive community of investigators who prioritize respect for the spirits and the preservation of historic sites.

Expert Guest Speakers: Seasoned researchers will lead discussions on the history of the town, its local legends—including the famous "Witch of Pere Cheney"—and the importance of ethical investigation.

Limited Attendance: To ensure a low-impact, respectful environment, the event is strictly limited to 75 participants.
Weekend Schedule:

April 10th & 11th: Immersive camping and guest speaker sessions.
April 12th: Dedicated site cleanup to ensure the historic grounds are left in better condition than they were found.

"Pere Cheney is more than just a haunted location; it is a place of deep historical tragedy," said Shared Paranormal Investigations Team. "By gathering here, we aim to demonstrate that paranormal investigation can be a force for good—preserving history while honoring those who remain."Tickets are on sale now at Eventbrite.com. About Pere Cheney:
Established in 1873, Pere Cheney faced a rapid decline due to disease and fires. It is now a focal point for Michigan folklore, with reports of glowing orbs, phantom voices, and mysterious handprints on vehicles.
Media Contact:
Shared Paranormal Investigations Team
[email protected]
sharedparanormal.net (Under Construction)

02/12/2026

Meet the cast

Meet the cast! In this episode we will be joined by the complete cast and crew for the documentary. Learn where to watch the documentary and so much more 🎙️...

02/12/2026

Of course this has to air on Friday the 13th! Please watch and share!

Pere Cheney: Plague In The Pines premieres Friday the 13th (2/13/26). Exclusively on PARAFlixx

The legend of Pere Cheney has long been one of Michigan's most talked-about ghost stories. With the help of the local historical society, this documentary offers a fresh and entirely new perspective on Pere Cheney's haunted history. By separating fact from folklore, putting real names to long-muddied legends, and uncovering a historical discovery that changes everything, the film reexamines what we truly know about this infamous piece of Michigan folklore.

01/06/2026

This antique potato masher can be found in the general store display at the Crawford County Historical Museum. While most people use electric mixers these days, mashers have been used for centuries. While the original types were usually a single piece of wood, this later design became popular in the mid to late 1800s. Modern potato mashers tend to be made out of metal or plastic.

12/29/2025

Spices would be something commonly found in a general store. These beautiful tins can be found at the Crawford County Historical Museum. General stores first began as trading posts but later spread as the west was settled. They sold a wide variety of products and were often a community gathering place. Spices have been located in many ancient archaeology sites and are found in food, perfumes and medicines. Common spices were black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, but varied depending on where you lived.

10/25/2025

As a follow up to the previous post about the Trappers Cabin - the outside walls are completely restored, thanks to Jeremie Peters and his special crew! The restoration was made possible from a grant from the Michigan Historical Society.

Next spring, we will have to put a new roof on, and completely repair the inside logs. This will cost over $1000. Any donations would be greatly appreciated.

10/22/2025

The Trapper's Cabin at the museum is getting a facelift. Replacing rotted logs, new chinking, and water seal.

10/08/2025

A very special thank you to Veteran Bradley Demaison for donating this U.S. flag off of the USS Grayling submarine. Eagle Scout Josh Warden created a wonderful new display in the Veterans Building; thank you so much!

10/06/2025

Thank you to all the museum visitors this season - you made it another wonderful year! See you all in 2026!

09/28/2025

The museum is closed for the winter season.

09/01/2025

I'm posting this photo (from last summer), in recognition of Labor Day. This is only one example of the continuous labor that is needed at the Crawford County Historical Museum to keep the many artifacts safe and available for viewing.