Address delivered by Hon. Henry H. Crapo, Governor of Michigan, before the Central Michigan Agricultural Society, at their Sheep-shearing Exhibition held at the Agricultural College Farm, on Thursday, May 24th, 1866

Address delivered by Hon. Henry H. Crapo, Governor of Michigan, before the Central Michigan Agricultural Society, at their Sheep-shearing Exhibition held at the Agricultural College Farm, on Thursday, May 24th, 1866, by Henry Howland Crapo is a vivid 1866 speech that blends post–Civil War reflection with practical devotion to agriculture. Governor Crapo addresses a sheep-shearing exhibition at the Agricultural College Farm, celebrating the return of peace, the resilience of Michigan communities, and the central role of farming societies in rebuilding civic life. His remarks move from the moral relief of the war’s end—“to beat our swords into plowshares”—to the everyday labors that sustain a state: livestock husbandry, education, and local industry. The address illuminates Reconstruction-era Northern sentiment, rural priorities, and the emerging importance of agricultural colleges and societies in promoting improvement and unity. This non-fiction historical address is ideal for students of 19th-century American history, local Michigan historians, agriculture enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates political speeches that link public policy to community livelihoods. Listen for a concise primary-source perspective on how leaders framed peace, progress, and practical farming in a pivotal moment of American history.