Visit a historic home this weekend

By Mark Osman, Livingston Co. Historical Society (guest submission)

It's a great weekend to enjoy a wide variety of activities for the whole family in Pontiac.

There is The Car Show, the Taste Of Pontiac and also the three House Museums will all be open for free public tours.

The Jones House at 314 E. Madison St was built in 1857 and is the oldest brick house in town. It was occupied by several of Pontiac's prominent families through the years. It was rescued from demolition by the Livingston County Historical Society and currently houses a wide variety of things used by our ancestors.

The Jason Strevell House at 401 W. Livingston St was visited by Abraham Lincoln in 1860. It features a number of items related to Lincoln plus several rooms furnished as it may have been when he visited.

The Catherine V. Yost House at 298 W. Water St features a large selection of the Pontiac resident's paintings. Also on display is the complete collection of the family's possessions. Built in 1898 it housed the 5 member family until their respective deaths and then became a museum. Also make certain to browse the outdoor Victorian Garden maintained by Master Gardener members. It is just now coming into full summer color and has been planted to remain that way throughout the season.

Tours of each home are always free. Ample on street parking is available. Also visitors to each home who would like to learn more have an opportunity to purchase a book written by Historical Society President Dale Maley. The three volumes each focus on one home and trace it and it's various residents from construction until today. They are available in the respective houses for only $25.00 and all funds collected are donated to the Historical Society.