Freeport Historical Society - Michigan

06/02/2026

Reminder: The Freeport Historical Society monthly meeting is tonight 7pm at the Freeport Community Center. And on Wednesday the museum is oping 1-3pm. Also we are looking for photos of those that lived in Freeport between late 1800s - current to add to our surname files. We look forward to seeing you and can't wait to see the photos.

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05/27/2026

This one is an interesting patent for those that have grown up on a farm. It is the “Oxygen Inflating Device” by Thomas P. Pomeroy in 1905. This device was used to transfer gas under pressure. Designed mostly for veterinary practice and apoplexy, (known as “milk fever”). Milk fever is an issue that can occur after a cow gives birth. The sudden massive demand for calcium to produce milk rapidly depletes the blood calcium levels. Which results in muscle weakness, paralysis, and a potential coma for the mother cow. It usually impacts older, high-producing dairy cows. This onset can occur within 72 hours after giving birth, and for farmers this is always a concern. Come join us at the Freeport Historical Society for additional family information and articles if you would like to read more. Our museum is open on the 1st Wednesday of the month April – November. We look forward to seeing you.

05/25/2026

05/20/2026

Let’s introduce our next Patent person for Freeport. He was Earnest Gosch, a Blacksmith by trade, was born 1851 in the country of Prussia, known today as Germany. He eventually made his way with his parents to the United States in 1865. Married Katherine Eckert and born into this unity were 4 children. While living in Freeport, he invented the “Vent Stop” Feb. 1887. The Patent Vent Stop was advertised; “to keep your pump from freezing up if the stop is pulled open, if shut it will stop the water from escaping and will give you more water.” This was sold at Mead & Roush store in Sunfield, Michigan 1905. Here at the Freeport Historical Society we have additional family information and articles if you would like to read more. As a reminder our museum is open on the 1st Wednesday of the month April – November. Come join us on this history of our town. We have lots of stories to share.

05/13/2026

Freeport Roots
The Freeport Historical Society, Freeport Michigan, is looking into past Patents done by those that lived in our Village in earlier times.
Let us introduce you to Mr. Nicholas Bouma, a family man, inventor, merchant, and a manufacturer. Born in the Netherlands, Nicholas immigrated with his parents to Northern America in the late 1800s. He married Cassie Andre and had 14 children. Nicholas owned the Freeport Truck and Clamp Company. In March of 1910 Nicholas patented the “Clamp” a device with two wooden jaws, rocker nuts, screws, and a handle that when you rotate the handle it would pinch the wooden jaws together to hold the boards in place tightly with fresh glue. Carpenters, cabinet makers, and anyone needing things held tightly together would find this was a wonderful invention. Who knew that we had an inventor in our small village that to this day it is still used. If you happen to see this “Clamp” at an estate sale or an auction you will know what the primary use was for. If you would like to know more about this and Nicholas Bouma’s family, his life and business come on over to the Freeport Historical Society and see the “Clamp” invention on display. We open on the 1st Wednesday of the month. Apr. – Nov. 1 – 3pm.

05/06/2026

Is there anyone out there that might be interested in celebrating our country's 250th birthday by having a 4th of July parade?
All across the country there will be parades and celebrations...why not Freeport?
Any thoughts?

05/06/2026

Hey all, don't forget we are open tomorrow from 1 - 3pm 127 S. Warren St, Freeport, Mi. We are looking forward to seeing you.

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05/02/2026

If you would like to see what we are about we are open the 1st Wednesday of the month April thru Nov. Monthly meetings are the 1st Tuesdays of the month at 7pm. Place of meeting may change. Feel free to contact us for more information.

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05/02/2026

Today was a wonderful day for the Tri-River Spring Into The Past that our Freeport Historical Society participated in this year. We had 64+ individuals come and see our historical items, talk to our knowledgeable historians, and learn about our village. We love to see the show of community support for our little town. There were people meeting new cousins, longtime friends, kids learning about the area, and lots of reminiscing of days gone by.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, or helped. And for helping us make more history in Freeport.

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