Har-Ber Village
The Jones first purchased the land to built a summer home in 1944. It wasn’t until 1968 that Harvey built a church on the site for his wife, a church built of handmade bricks made before the Civil War with antique stained glass windows. Beside the church he planted a rose garden and in the center placed a beautiful marble Christ with outstretched arms. The statue was imported from Italy. Visitors to Grand Lake soon began coming ashore to see the church and statue.
Bernice Jones thought a home for the preacher might be nice so a 1840’s log cabin was acquired and placed nearby. Soon after, an old school house was brought and the rest of the village followed. For several years, the Jones acquired old buildings, antiques, artifacts and collectibles until they had recreated a pioneer village. They opened Har-Ber Village to the public without admission. Throughout their long lives, Har-Ber Village remained a free attraction but in recent years a small admission charge has been added. This is to help maintain and preserve the village.
Visitors enter along Main Street – a thoroughfare of the past complete with a hotel, blacksmith’s shop, school, restaurant, doctor’s office, bank, dentist’s office, and much more. Each is equipped with the antique tools of the trade so it’s easy to imagine the olden days. A paved path winds through the extensive park which has many trees and lovely flowers in bloom during summer months. The path leads past a water wheel designed especially for the park and down to the shores of Grand Lake. Bernice’s church remains in place beside the Christ who welcomes all with outstretched arms.
As the path winds back up hill it’s lined with log cabins. Har-Ber Village has the largest collection of log cabins in the Midwest and each is furnished in period style. There is also a millinery shop, dressmaker’s shop, jewelry shop, and other displays along the way.
Throughout the park displays feature everything from Scouting memorabilia to dishes (including Frankoma pottery) to antique furniture and even a grizzly bear killed in Kodiak, Alaska. Two buildings house one of the nation’s most extensive doll collections. Others display toys from many different ages. Open air buildings feature a wagon collection, farm machinery, and even a vintage hearse. Displays feature furniture in parlor settings, old-fashioned kitchens, musical instruments and clothing from earlier ages.
A Native American art gallery features original beadwork and art works that celebrate Native American life. An authentic gallows stands as a sober reminder of frontier justice. The Sweet Annie herb garden is alive with the herbs that flavored food and healed the sick in the past. Memorabilia from the Jones Truck Line that Harvey Jones founded in 1933 are also present.
Postcards are available on site and wheelchairs are available for use. It’s easy to spend an entire day touring the park and seeing every exhibit. For more than twenty five years, Har-Ber Village has been a favorite destination for area residents and travelers from far away. Those who know the park best often say that there is always something new to see on every visit.
Har-Ber Village is located at the edge of Grove, Oklahoma. All major thoroughfares are marked with signs that lead to the village. Admission is just $3.50 for ages 14 through 62, $2.50 for senior citizens over 62, and free for all under 14. Season passes are available for $10 per person and group discounts are available.
