November 2010

The remarkable "Castle" Federal building in downtown Saginaw had been slated for demolition several times but was saved from destruction in each instance by organized action led by the society. When the building was again slated for demolition in the 1970s, the Historical Society of Saginaw County took action to have the building placed on the National Register of Historical Places. The County Board of Commissioners acquired the site in the 1970s and set aside space for the creation of a museum of Saginaw history. Barrier-free access was added and the closed tower and circular staircase were reopened after 40 years. Supported by a county millage, the Historical Society of Saginaw County has operated the building since 1992.

The center's collections are developed to reflect the complete human history of St. Joseph-Benton Harbor and its place in Michigan and Great Lakes regional history.

The Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society began as the Orchard Lake Scenic and Historical Society on January 28, 1974. At the first meeting in Abbot School’s Community Room, the Reverend Walter J. Ziemba, Rector of the St. Mary’s Schools, Orchard Lake, was elected president. In May 1978 the name was changed to the Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society to reflect the involvement of Orchard Lake, Keego Harbor, Sylvan Lake, West Bloomfield Township and surrounding communities.

Nestled on 90 landscaped acres in restored historic barns are nearly 200 extraordinary vehicles spanning more than 100 years of automotive heritage. Here visitors will find exhibits ranging from a 1899 Locomobile, to the classic Duesenberg or the elusive Tucker '48, and from the Model T to the muscle cars of the 60s and 70s.

In 1934, Traverse City Park’s commissioner, Con Foster, had an idea. He wanted to create a park along the lakeshore at the south tip of the West Grand Traverse Bay. The park would have a zoo, a beach house and a historical museum about the region. Over the next several years, Con Foster traveled over 15,000 miles throughout the Midwest buying Native American and pioneer artifacts to display in the museum. In 1935, the Works Progress Administration built a building to house this collection and it was later named the Con Foster Museum. For the past 70 years this collection has grown to over 10,000 artifacts.

Ordered by General James Oglethorpe, Governor of the 13th colony, in 1732, the Tybee Island Light Station has been guiding mariners safe entrance into the Savannah River for over 270 years. The Tybee Island Light Station is one of America's most intact, having all of its historic support buildings on its five-acre site. Rebuilt several times, the current light station displays its 1916 day mark with 178 stairs and a First Order Fresnel lens which is nine feet tall.

For over 150 years, the Smith’s Plantation Home has stood the test of time as The Civil War was brought to its front steps, and all around it, the small mill village of Roswell erupted into a bustling metropolitan suburb. Perfectly preserved are the Smiths two-story farm house, complete with outbuildings, including servants quarters, a cook house, smoke house, corn crib, barn, carriage house, well, and spring house.

Three generations of the Archibald Smith family lived in this home and saved all of their belongings, large and small, important and trivial, broken or whole. The home and grounds have become one of the best examples of architectural, cultural, and historical interpretation found in the region.

On the Courthouse Square in beautiful downtown Charlotte, stands the 1885 Eaton County Courthouse. It served as the center of county government until 1976. The courthouse's authoritative presence has made it a powerful symbol within the community. The elaborate woodwork, tile floors and stained glass ceiling are a testament to the architectural design and craftsmanship of the period.

The city of Clio is located in northern Genesee County along the I-75 corridor approximately ten miles north of Flint. The city is 1.1 square miles and surrounded physically by Vienna Township. 

In the year of 1835, by the authority of the territorial legislature, the county of Saginaw was organized. Around 1847 the area of Big Rock was set off as a township and when the township was organized, it was given the name of Northampton, from the old New Hampshire home of some of the leading citizens in those days. It was congressional district 9 north, ranges 1,2,3 and 4 east. In 1853 the township name was changed to Chesaning, the Indian name for “Big Rock,” thus bringing it back to its original name. The township remained as large as this until 1856 when the board of supervisors set off ranges 1 and 2 and called it Brady Township; and in 1857 they set off range 4 as Maple Grove Township. This left range 3 as Chesaning township and that is the way it is today, just about six square miles.