Community Attractions in Buchanan, Michigan

Information

Buchanan Community Attractions

Click below for information on each:

Pears Mill
Tin Shop Theatre
The Common

Pears Mill

Buchanan, Michigan, first settled in 1833 and later named for future president James Buchanan, was originally settled on McCoy Creek because of a gradual 60-foot drop in water level leading to the St. Joseph River. To take advantage of this constant source of water power mills sprang up all along the banks of McCoy creek. Of the 13 known water-powered mills built along Buchanan's McCoy Creek during the 19th Century, only one remains - Pears Mill (pronounced "Peers"), a flour mill constructed in 1857 in a very simple Italianate/Greek Revival style.

By 1983 the original structure, which was still in use as a farmers co-op, had been enclosed and altered by many additions and was completely sheathed in corrugated steel. That year the business ceased operations at that site and the building was slated for demolition. But within the eyesore remained the beauty of the original mill with its huge hand-hewn post and beam construction, 12 over 12 windows and the massive native fieldstone basement. The Buchanan Preservation Society, a non-profit organization founded in 1980, mounted a successful campaign to save the building.

Pears Mill has undergone faithful restoration and is administered and operated by the all-volunteer Buchanan Preservation Society. Occasional demonstrations of historic trades such as weaving, blacksmithing and basket weaving; rotating exhibits of Buchanan's history, stone-ground flour and meal available to take home, and a mill gift counter all guarantee something to capture your interest.

Admission is free (although donations are appreciate). The Mill is open Saturday & Sunday 1-5pm from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Weekend. The Mill generally operates on Saturdays during Mill hours.

Pears Mill is located in downtown Buchanan south of Front Street between Oak and Days. There is plenty of free parking available so stop by and visit a one-of-a-kind flour and grist mill.

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Tin Shop Theatre

The Tin Shop was built in 1865-66 by a Buchanan Merchant and subsequently used for a furniture factory. Changing hands several times over the years, it has operated as a lumber dealer business and as another factory. It served as a hospital during the 1918 flu epidemic; Clark Equipment manufactured and sold air-conditioned beds here, and in the last years of production made their original drill products in this historic building. Clark sold the Tin Shop to the Buchanan Co-op in 1950, which sold it to the City in 1981

The Tin shop is of an Italianate derived factory style common to the 1860-1880 period. Among its more interesting architectural features are its good proportions, its nine-pane, double hung windows, and its board-lined room upstairs over the West Side.

In 1982 the Buchanan Fine Arts Council began the task of turning the building into a fine arts center. It wasn’t until the summer of 1984 that any shows were performed in the Tin Shop Theatre. Since then, over 100 productions have appeared on stage. 2003 marks our 15th summer season in this historic facility

General Info

All performances are Michigan time and SEATING IS LIMITED – Reserve your tickets early. The Tin Shop Theatre is not accepting reservations via e-mail at this time.

Where if it’s great theatrical performances you’re looking for, look no further than the Tin Shop Theatre.

For more information and ticket reservations call the box office at (269)695-6464 or visit their web site www.tinshoptheatre.org

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The Common

The Common is Buchanan’s very own outdoor amphitheatre. Sitting in the heart of Downtown, it’s an ideal spot to stretch out on the lawn and enjoy a play or concert. The common is host to several music concerts during the summer months.

Whether you enjoy jazz, country, bluegrass or rock & roll, the Common has something to suit everyone’s musical tastes. Stop by on a lunch-hour break when you get a chance and enjoy one of the “Stop, Lunch & Listen” plays put on during the noon-hour throughout the summer.

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Site Highlights

Click on the Current News above for complete details

FARMERS' MARKET OPENING DAY
Saturday May 3rd
8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
2006 WATER QUALITY REPORT

NEW POLICE DEPARTMENT PROGRAM "A CHILD IS MISSING

BLUEPRINT FOR BUCHANAN DOWNTOWN IS NOW AVAILABLE

Happy Spring!

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