The Old Rugged Cross Historical Museum is an outgrowth of a memorial cross erected and dedicated on September 14, 1954, north of Reed City at the home of Rev. and Mrs. George Bennard. Rev Bennard was the author of world-renowned hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross," written in 1913. The museum contains mementos and relics not only from the Bennard home, but also from the original Osceola County Historical Museum.

The Old Rugged Cross Historical Museum is an outgrowth of a memorial cross erected and dedicated on September 14, 1954, north of Reed City at the home of Rev. and Mrs. George Bennard. Rev Bennard was the author of world-renowned hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross," written
in 1913.

The museum contains mementos and relics not only from the Bennard home, but also from the original Osceola County
Historical Museum.

The Old Rugged Cross Historical Museum contains three rooms. The first is divided into six smaller rooms depicting life in the Reed City area before 1900. The second contains displays of early farm equipment, shop tools, models of early logging operations, Indian artifacts and a 1930's era fire truck and equipment. The third is devoted to the life, possessions and music of the Rev. George Bennard.

The museum hosts visitors from all over the United States and the World. Recent visitors include the President of the YMCA of Korea (whose nephew honored us with a version of the Old Rugged Cross on guitar and piano, in English and Korean) and 70 members of an orchestra from Verizon, France, who were guests of the Evart Chamber of Commerce.

International visitors

Open May 1– Sept. 30
1-4 p.m.
7 Days

Group Tours by Appointment,
Admission Free
Donations Encouraged to Defray Expense. Please call the museum for private tours.

Museum Address:
4918 Park Street
P.O. Box 52
Reed City, MI 49677
Telephone: 1.231.832.3053

Museum Co- Presidents

Betsy Randall
231.832.9525

Erv Jones
231.832.2798

Genealogy Info:
Genealogical Society President
Betsy Randall
231.832.9525