The IXL Historical Museum is a living testament to the history of the town.

The multi-complex museum, at W5551 River St., opens for the 2025 season this weekend. Regular hours are 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. They will also be open Monday for the Memorial Day holiday.

C.J.L. Meyer of Fond du Lac, Wis., started a saw and shingle mill to process pine and cedar timber on lands he had purchased in 1878. In 1883, Meyer organized the Wisconsin Land & Lumber Company, which acquired the mill and landholdings as the principal stockholder. The company eventually developed innovative new methods and machinery for manufacturing pre-cut maple wood flooring.

Dr. G.W. Earle acquired almost all the stocks and bonds of the company in 1900.

THE MULTI-COMPLEX museum, W5551 River St., will be open from 12:30 to 4 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through the summer season. They will also be open Monday for Memorial Day. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

“The company was really bombing at that time — he really put flooring on the map,” said Marilyn Popp, president of the IXL Historical Museum. “They made some of the finest in the world and it’s still in the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park.”

The artifacts that are housed in the main office building, dating back to 1881-82, are 99% original, with the office equipment on the first floor still the way Earle left it.

Popp noted all the handwritten books and century-old office machinery remains in place, as if they just closed the doors yesterday.

Some of its unique attractions are the walk-in vault and a Hermansville-printed $5 bill.

“There’s a lot of interesting pieces in here,” Popp said. “Many are surprised when they walk through the doors.”

MARILYN POPP, PRESIDENT of the IXL Historical Museum in Hermansville, shows off an old organ that volunteers worked to clean up this winter in the former produce warehouse on the grounds. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

The 19th-century structure’s second floor later served as a residence for Dr. Earle and his family for several years until construction of his new “house on the hill” was completed.

The decor in the living quarters is all pieces from that era.

“We like to change the displays up a little when we can,” she said.

This year, the museum will highlight vintage women’s hats and hair pieces.

“We have some unique, fancy pieces,” she said.

THE 1910 TRAIN caboose on the IXL Historical Museum grounds in Hermansville was recently restored, with the outside repainted along with a new logo. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

Popp said the board is also in the process of updating all the identification cards for each of their displays.

Visitors can then explore the museum grounds that feature seven outbuildings, including the original “company house,” one of the oldest homes in Hermansville; carriage house; Hermansville’s original produce warehouse that contains a representation of a company store from the early 1900s; Wilson’s railroad depot; and a blacksmith shop.

Over the winter, volunteers have worked hard to restore a couple of wood desks and an old organ in the warehouse, Popp said.

“They also framed and hung old blueprints of the Cunard and Hermansville schools,” she said. “We are unsure where they first came from and if they were the actual ones they used to build each school.”

The caboose has been restored, inside and out.

MARILYN POPP, PRESIDENT of the IXL Historical Museum in Hermansville, in the interior of the recently restored 1910 train caboose. (Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo)

“They have done a great job with it — it looks great,” Popp said. “It has been detailed with a painted logo on the side.”

She added that the warehouse has been reorganized for the upcoming season with a few new additions as well.

The outdoor pavilion area features milling machinery.

The IXL Museum’s main office building will receive a fresh coat of paint this year.

“We are excited to finally get this done,” Popp said.

Popp encourages everyone to come and visit this summer. “We are very lucky to have so much history in our little town,” she said.

Some of the museum’s upcoming events include the annual Fourth of July car show and Vintage Day in August.

“We are looking to do something a little different,” she added.

They still need volunteers during the summer season. Popp said she was pleased to have a couple local students recently show interest.

“They really want to get involved and expand on our social media pages,” she said.

Anyone interested in helping this summer can call the museum at the number listed below.

The museum was designated a Michigan State Historic Site in 1973 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.

Group tours or tours outside of regular hours can be arranged by calling the museum at 906-236-5163. Admission to the museum is by donation.