Paine-Gilliam-Scott Museum, photo by Phil Squattrito
St. Johns is steeped in history, and the Paine-Gillam-ScottMuseum is the ideal place to take a step back in time.Housed in the oldest brick home in St. Johns, it was built in 1860 by John W. Paine.Dr. Samuel Gillam bought the house in 1883, and it was in his office that Dr. Gillam performed the first abdominal surgery in ClintonCounty.Dr. Walter A. Scott joined Gillam in his medical practice at this site, and practiced in the building until his death in 1934.In 1978 the Clinton County Historical Society obtained permission to operate the house as a Museum, where it now attracts visitors and history buffs with its authentic display of an 1870 doctor’s office, along with collections of furnishings, clothes, war memorabilia and other historical items pertaining to ClintonCounty history.
The Paine-Gillam-ScottMuseum received the distinction of being listed in the State Register of Historic Sites in 1980, and was honored with the dedication of a Michigan Historical Marker in 1998.The Museum is open Wednesdays from 2pm to 7pm and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm, or you can call 989-224-2894 for special tours and programs available.
“The mission of the Clinton County Arts Council (CCAC) is to promote, encourage and economically support the arts, artists and the cultural heritage of Clinton County.” The Clinton County Arts Council operates a beautiful Arts Gallery at 215 N. Clinton in St. Johns with collections from local artists. The Gallery provides an opportunity for the public to view and purchase a variety of new art pieces produced by artists from our community, and its “First Sunday” events showcase specific artists each month.The CCAC offers a “Traveling Art Program”, where original art work is loaned for display to Clinton County area businesses for a one month period, and then rotated. In addition, the CCAC sponsors the yearly “Summer Concerts in the Park” series at the St. Johns Performance Shell.It also operates The Clinton Northern Railway Museum in the historic St. Johns Train Depot at 107 E. Railroad Street.
The Clinton County Arts Gallery is open Tuesday thru Friday from 10am to 5:30pm and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. For additional information, call 989-224-2429 or email CCArts@voyager.net.
Clinton Northern Railway Museum in the Grand Trunk Depot
The Clinton Northern Railway Museum is located in the historic Grand Trunk Railroad Depot at 107 E. Railroad Street in St. Johns. The original wooden depot built in 1858 was destroyed by fire, and replaced with a brick building in 1869.The existing Depot building was built in 1920, but was designed to look like the 1869 building that was destroyed by a tornado earlier that year.The depot closed to train traffic in 1992 but has been restored and now houses the museum.
The Clinton Northern Railway Museum is operated by the Clinton County Arts Council (CCAC) and offers “A Great Train Adventure” to young and old alike. Visitors can operate model trains and view the collection of historic railroad artifacts in time capsule exhibits. The museum boasts a collection of historic railcars in varying stages of renovation, where history buffs and visitors can walk through and examine hands on. The Museum also hosts a Model Railroad Club which meets monthly at the Historic Grand Trunk Railroad Depot, as well as a variety of other specialized exhibits throughout the year.
The Clinton Northern Railway Museum is open on Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. during the months of May through October, and hosts a series of family fun events on select evenings during the week in the summer months.The Clinton Northern Railway Museum is open at other times by appointment only.
Clinton County Veterans Memorial, photo by David Pizzaferatto
The Veterans Memorial was created in lasting memory of the Clinton County, Michigan men and women who serve in the Armed Forces… in the past, present and future.The solemn yet strikingly beautiful Memorial was dedicated on July 4, 2006 and lists names of those from Clinton County who gave their lives for our Country in the Civil War, Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, Vietnam War and Iraq War.
Engraved bricks honoring Clinton County Veterans pave the roundabout of the Memorial located at Clinton Avenue and Railroad Street in Downtown St. Johns.Those that wish to purchase an engraved brick may obtain forms at the St. Johns City Offices (in the Clinton County Courthouse at 100 E. State Street) or contact Dennis Scott for further information at 989-224-2601.
Community Theatre
“Homegrown Productions” stages community theatre events in the Rodney B. Wilson Center Auditorium at 101 Cass Street in St. Johns.The new production company is working in partnership with the Clinton County Arts Council. For additional information call Beth Webb at 989-224-8982 or Susan DeRosa at 517-651-2949.
The Briggs Public Library is located in a state-of-the-art building at 108 E. Railroad Street in St. Johns. Its stated mission is to “Actively provide easily accessible services, materials and programs to people of all ages in our service area to meet their evolving recreational, cultural, informational and educational needs”.
The Library contains 38,374 volumes and circulates 117,396 items per year.It offers books, magazines and audio books for check out. Videos may be rented for a small fee, and some videos are loaned for free. Internet access, subscriptions to several newspapers, resources about local history and genealogy are available for use at the Library. The Library offers a photocopier, fax machine, word processing equipment, a quiet study area and a meeting room for public use. Programs and events for adults, young adults and children are held at various times during the year.
Library Hours are Monday thru Thursday 9:30am to 8:00pm, Friday 9:30am to 7:00pm, Saturday 9:30am to 1:00pm.For additional information, call 989-224-4702 or emailSMorrison@BriggsPublicLibrary.org.
