ADA, Mich. — History will come to life next month when the Ada Historical Society recreates an authentic fur trading camp, complete with historical clothing and artifacts.
Rix Robinson operated the Ada trading post at the junction of the Thornapple River and Grand River from 1821 to 1834, according to the Ada Historical Society. The Grand Rapids History Center said he is believed to have been the first white settler in West Michigan and the first white man in Kent County.
You can meet Robinson's descendants wearing period dress from Sept. 13 to Sept. 15. There will be historical demonstrations of open fire cooking, fire starting, musket shooting and more.
The authentic fur trading camp will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 13; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 14; and 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 15.
The Ada Historical Society was founded in 1974. The group works on projects like digitizing historical photos, preserving artifacts and operating the Averill Historical Museum.
