Kirkpatrick brings American folk art to Trail of Courage

For the past two decades Steven Kirkpatrick has traveled from his home in Edwardsburg, Mich., to participate in the Trail of Courage Living History Festival to sell hand-carved American folk art.

For more than two decades, Steven Kirkpatrick, of Edwardsburg, Mich., has sold his American Folk Art wood carvings at the Trail of Courage Living History Festival.  

The festival is going on this weekend at the Fulton County Historical Society, four miles north of Rochester at U.S. 31 and County Road 375 North, and brings the pre-1840 time period back to life with authentic vendors, music, dances and food. Kirkpatrick said this year was the first time he was almost unable to attend due to a health crisis over the summer, but is thankful to have recovered and participate in another year.

Kirkpatrick said the Trail of Courage is something he looks forward to every year, and hopes to continue his participation in the festival for more years to come. 

Kirkpatrick said he also likes to live his life with traditional, old-school values and morals outside of the festival. Although he no longer farms, he and his wife still grow their own food by gardening and canning items for the winter, something many consider to be lifestyle habits from the past. Modern technology doesn't interest Kirkpatrick as much as natural living, keeping the drive for his wood carving business going. Kirkpatrick said as a third-generation wood carver, he has never had a lesson in the trade, but has been doing the wood carvings for the past 63 years.