30 January 2012

Historic Adventist Village, Battle Creek, Michigan

Historic Adventist Village, Battle Creek, Michigan
Welcome Center and Dr. J. H. Kellogg Discovery Center

Did you know that Battle Creek, Michigan is the birthplace of the Seventh-day Adventist denomination?  I didn't either until I visited Historic Adventist Village, which is located on the west side of Battle Creek, just minutes from my home.

Historic Adventist Village restores the history of the Seventh-day Adventist movement.  It includes the neighborhood where early pioneers of the church lived and walked.  The Adventist Village encompasses three blocks of restored buildings, including homes, a one room school house, meeting house, and church.

Your visit starts at the Welcome Center and Dr. J.H. Kellogg Discovery Center.  Visitors are welcomed by costumed workers who are very knowledgeable about Dr. Kellogg and the village.  They will give you a tour of the village, including the inside of the buildings.

Dr. John Harvey Kellogg
Life-size cut out at Historic Adventist Village

Dr. John Harvey Kellogg is, probably, best known as the inventor of Kellogg's Corn Flakes cereal, which he invented along with his brother, W.K. (Will Keith) Kellogg.  Dr. Kellogg was a medical doctor with an interest in holistic health.  As the chief medical officer, Dr. Kellogg ran the Battle Creek Sanitarium using holistic health methods with an emphasis on exercise, enemas, and nutrition.

Light Bed, invented by Dr. John Harvey Kellogg
Historic Adventist Village, Battle Creek, Michigan

The light bed concept was invented by Dr. Kellogg, who promoted better health through photo-therapy.  Other inventions of Dr. Kellogg's can be found at the interactive Welcome Center and Kellogg Discovery Center.


Ellen White
Historic Adventist Village, Battle Creek, Michigan

Ellen White, along with her husband James White, are known for being the co-founders of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church.  A short movie about the church and the White family can be seen at the Welcome Center.

Home of James and Ellen White 1856-1863
They built this house for about $500 in 1856. 
It is the oldest known Seventh-day Adventist landmark in Battle Creek. 
It was restored in 2001.


David Hewitt Log Cabin
David was the first seventh-day Sabbathkeeper in Battle Creek.

School House circa 1870's
The school house was moved to the Village in 1999.
Guides will tell you about the first Seventh-day Adventist Church School
and Battle Creek College, which was the beginning of the Church's worldwide educational system.




Adventist Church, Parkdale Michigan 1861
This church was the first Adventist Church to be legally organized. 
Parkdale is located in southwest Michigan, near Three Rivers, Michigan. 
The church was moved to Adventist Village and restored in 2002.

A visit to the Historic Adventist Village is a step back in time.  The heritage of the Seventh-day Adventist church is evident in every step.  Tours are offered Memorial Day-Labor Day Monday through Friday (10-5) and Saturdays (2-5), with the last tour starting at 4.  Labor Day-Memorial Day hours are Saturday (2-4).

For more information:  Visit the Historic Adventist Village website.


(This blog post is to celebrate the history of Battle Creek, Michigan, my hometown for the past 24 years.  I try to post one article a month on the heritage and history of Battle Creek, The Cereal City!)


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