Harrison Bruce Historical Village at John A. Logan College
Harrison Bruce Historical Village began when Purdy School, a one-room school built in 1860 in southern Perry County moved to the John A. Logan College campus in 1983. Decades passed, but campus visionaries hoped that the Purdy School would be the beginning of a commemorative and vital historical place for the entire region. In 2007 the Hunter Cabin, a log cabin built in 1818 was reconstructed on the JALC campus near the Purdy School.
Highlights
The Harrison Bruce Historical Village at John A. Logan College is made up of several buildings. Harrison House, Harrison “double dog trot” Cabin, Hunter Log Cabin, Purdy School, The Robert L. Mees Centre. The heritage gardens are integrated throughout the village and are carefully cultivated to replicate period appropriate gardening.
Major funding for the historical village was furnished by the Julia Harrison Bruce Foundation and the Fred G. Harrison Foundation. Retired JALC President Robert Mees is the namesake for the Village centerpiece - The Robert L. Mees Village Centre. Through his enthusiastic support and ability to work with the village building donors and foundations, dreams for the Village were realized.
The newest addition to the Historical Village are the lovely heritage gardens, established and maintained by volunteer master gardeners and naturalists. Each area is carefully cultivated to replicate period appropriate gardening
Tips for Harrison Bruce Historical Village
Tours Available – Public tours are generally offered the first and third Tuesdays of the month, from April to November, at 10am and 1pm. Private tours may also be arranged. Volunteer docents serve as guides for groups or persons wishing to learn more about local history beginning from the early 1800s. Tours are free and last approximately 1 ½ hours.
Planning a Party – If you are interested in using this great location for your next get together you can! It is a perfect setting for many occasions but please carefully review our list of guidelines and requirements. After all, this is a historical site and we want it to stay wonderful forever.
