FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UP Landmark Saved from Ruin

The Grand Marais Historical Society announces the opening of the Pickle Barrel House Museum, the UP's newest family-oriented museum. The Pickle Barrel House was built in 1926 as a summer cottage for author-illustrator William Donahey and his wife, author Mary Dickerson Donahey. The 16-foot-high barrel, with an attached smaller barrel, served as the Donahey's home on Sable Lake for ten years.
Donahey was the creator of the famous "Teenie Weenie" characters, two-inch-tall people who lived under a rosebush in a garden. Their adventures appeared in newspapers across the country for more than 50 years. In addition to the comics, Donahey created a number of ads for the Monarch Foods company of Chicago, including an ad showing a small pickle keg being used as a house for Teenie Weenies. This gave Monarch Foods the idea to have a specially-built pickle barrel erected on Sable Lake as a surprise for the Donaheys.
The fame of the Teenie Weenies brought a steady stream of visitors to the Pickle Barrel House, sometimes as many as 200 in a single day. The Donaheys ended up locking the doors every Sunday and escaping into the woods to avoid the constant company. Much as the Donaheys enjoyed meeting all of the families, they ended up giving the Pickle Barrel House to a local businessman, who moved it into the village of Grand Marais in 1936. Over the years, it was used as an ice-cream stand, information booth, and gift shop, but it gradually fell into disrepair. A concerned group of citizens banded together to save it before it collapsed.
The Historical Society acquired the property in 2003 and builder Bob Metivier, of Skyway Builders in Sault Saint Marie, took on the challenge of restoring the exterior and interior. Through a combination of private donations and foundation grants, the Historical Society was able to complete the restoration in time for a grand opening and dedication on July 3, 2005.
An exhibit about the Donaheys and a collection of their works is located in the main room of the house. The other areas have been refurbished to look as they did in the 1920s, when the Pickle Barrel House was used as a home. Children will have fun looking for the many Teenie Weenies hidden around the house and throughout the landscaped garden. A selection of Pickle Barrel and Teenie Weenie items is for sale at the museum. All proceeds go toward the maintenance of the building.
The Pickle Barrel House Museum is open daily from 1 pm to 4pm. Admission is free, though donations are greatly appreciated.

Photos of the restoration are available on the Internet at http://www.grandmaraismichigan.com/Picklebarrel/Dedication/dedication.htm