MAY 2009

WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER • FOUNDED 1857

RICHARD L GALANT, PhD Officers Richard L. Galant, PhD President President's Letter I Ralph P. Beebe . I Vice-President Dear Members and Friends, recording new changes. THe board has Judith M. Chrisman Washtenaw County has long been been meeting to re-affirm its mission Recording Secretary associated with attracting a somewhat and define a new strategic) plan. This Immediate Past President transient population due to the scholarly activity, along with a change in Pauline V. Walters lifestyle of the University of Michigan. leadership, promises to brihg new and Corresponding Secretary However those who have lived here, better accomplishments fo ~ the Society Leslie L. Loomans whether for a short period of time or Treasurer and its members. I more permanently, have brought this For me, this is the lastl letter as Directors area many riches to its culture and board president. I wish to thank each Rosemarion A. Blake history. The current exhibit, Coming to board member that I have/ served with Patricia W. Creal Ann DeFreytas Washtenaw County: 1820 to 2009, tells and the many different residents I have Tom Freeman the story of immigration and how the met during my tenure on the board. Karen L. Jania ethnic groups have changed over the You have enriched my life. both Michelle L. McClellan, PhD years. I hope you have the opportunity historically and personally. Susan Nenadic M. Joanne Nesbit to come to visit this exhibit at the With best wishes to y6u all, Jay Snyder Museum on Main Street before it is Jan E. Tripp retired on July 1. Richard L. Galant Susan Cee Wineberg Like the current exhibit, happenings WCHS Board President Cynthia Yao I at the Washtenaw Historical Society are Directors-at-Large Hon. Julie A. Creal Mary Florida Wayne Florida Dean Greb Susan Kosky weHS Annual Meeting Donald Cameron Smith, MD Advisors to be Held in Milan Ina Hanel-Gerdenich David LaMoreaux Thomas F. Mich, PhD Sara Ford, president bf Milan's Louisa Pieper Wednesday, May 20, 6 to 9 pm Historical Society, is the The Washtenaw County The Washtenaw County Historical featured speaker at the 7:30 Historical SOCiety is a Society will hold its 2009 annual program. She will show 501(c)(3) organization. meeting and pot luck supper at the MILAN AT THE MOVIES, Information Milan Senior and Community Activity a collection of movies Published Seven Times A Year Center, 45 Neckel Court, Milan, and slides about Milan From September-May. Michigan. The meeting begins at 6 pm, that have been copied Museum On Main Street in the Great Room of the center. Dining 500 N. Main Street at Beakes Street onto a DVD. is at 6:30 PM. Please bring a dish to Post Office Box 3336 Members of the pass. Dinnerware and beverages will be Ann Arbor, MI 48106-3336 Milan Historical supplied. The program, which will be Phone: 734.662.9092 Society have followed by WCHS's business meeting, Email: wchs-500(ii)ameritech.net been invited to Web Site: is scheduled for 7:30 pm. The Great the program. www.washtenawhistorv.org Room has large windows facing the Annual dues: January-December Saline River. Photos can be seen at individual, $15; couple/family $25; http://www.ci.milan.mi.us/ student or senior (60+) $10; senior community_ center.shtml couple $19; business/association $50; patron $100. WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IMPRESSIONS MAY 2009

DON FABER Michigan and Ohio: Birth of a Rivalry

Don Faber brought the key roles in the controversy. He colorful history of Michigan illustrated how ownership of the to life as he entertained narrow strip of land became and enlightened the more intertwined with Michigan'S bid for than 75 people attending statehood and is an essential part the April 19 meeting of the of the state's history. He also Washtenaw County Histori­ provided attendees with stories cal Society, held at Glacier about the "battles," personalities Hills. Faber, former editor and chance events that are part of of the Ann Arbor News, the controversy. took attendees back to the Faber ended his talk by paying late 18th century and early tribute to the Northwest Ordi­ 19th century, before Michi­ nance, which had played such an gan hadwon statehood, to On the "front lines" of the Toledo War, Michigan's important role in the Toledo War. a controversy over a "boy governor" Stevens T. Mason, left, and Ohio The language, he said, still brings narrow strip of land that Gov. Robert Lucas an emotional "lump in my throat." would become known as In the preface to his book, he the "Toledo Strip." called it "one of the most impor­ The 1787 Northwest Ordinance had placed the strip, which was five tant documents in American miles wide at the Indiana border and eight miles wide at Lake Erie, in the history. It called for the orderly area that would become Michigan. The 1818 Fulton Survey agreed. development of land and estab­ However the Harris Survey, previously done in 1817, agreed with the lished government on the frontier Ohio Constitution, which had placed the mouth of the Maumee River in while providing for the creation of Ohio. Since this was within the area in question, the seeds of the Toledo future states. The language of the War were planted. "Thirty years before the War between the states, as the Civil War was referred to in the South, there occurred another war between states," says Faber in the preface to his highly acclaimed book The Toledo War. "Not a war in the military sense, this conflict between two states had no fatalities, grand battle plans, or five-star generals plotting their places in history. But make no mistake, Michigan and Ohio, eyeball to eyeball, were at serious swords' points in 1835. Statehood and a disputed boundary were the two intertwined issues." Faber, who served on the staff of the Michigan Constitutional Conven­ tion , expertly wove together the story Don Faber, a former Ann Arbor News of the Toledo War with accounts of editor, served on the staff of the Michi­ gan Constitutional Convention. He won political rivalry between presidents, a Ford Foundation Fellowship to work governors, senators and even a in the Michigan Senate and was a future Civil War general. Well known speech writer for Michigan Governor leaders such as James Monroe, George Romney. Now retired, he lives James K. Polk, Andrew Jackson, in Ann Arbor with his wife Jeannette, Don Faber's book is available at the Mu- James Buchanan, John Quincy and indulges in his love of Michigan his­ seum on Main Street Gift Shop Adams and Robert E. Lee all had tory. • Page 2' WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IMPRESSIONS MAY 2009

Northwest Ordinance still reso­ JAY SNYDER AND CYNTHIA YAO nates today. It proclaims 'religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government Report of the Nominating and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of educa­ Committee tion shall forever be encouraged.' The need for education to illumi­ Proposed Slate nate the darkness is as compelling now as it was in frontier days. It is President: ...... Leslie L. Loomans a timeless message that is still the Vice President: ...... Ralph P. Beebe best hope for humanity in a Treasurer: ...... Patricia W. Creal changing world." Recording Secretary: ...... Judith M. Chrisman .Corresponding Secretary: ...... Pauline V. Walters Directors: SUSAN NENADIC Three-Year term to 2012 Karen L. Jania * We Have Michelle L. McClellan * Jay Snyder Winners! (open / vacant) Endowment Committee When you visit the Museum David LaMoreaux on Main Street to see the current exhibit, Coming to Washtenaw *The two recently appointed directors filled vacancies made by the County: 1820-2009, you can test resignations of two board members whose terrTiSwould have expired this your knowledge about Washtenaw year. Both knew that they would stand for election at this year's annual County by participating in a unique meeting. contest. In March, Vera Sadrann Further nominations will be accepted from the floor. and Cornelius Hempel won $20 gift certificates for correctly identifying immigration patterns. Prue Heikkinen won a $10 gift PAULINE WALTERS certificate for correctly identifying a local landmark. April winners are Royce Disbrow, who won the sign Membership contest, and Matthew Mejia, a student, won the modern immigra­ In the April 2009 issue of ImpreSSions, we informed members and tion contest. donors that IRS rules now allow membership dues to be tax-deductible. The exhibit includes stories Therefore, we will be sending a tax receipt letter for all receipts of about the people who came to donations and membership monies. Our software can generate either a Washtenaw County: what they hard copy or an e-mail letter/receipt. Because of the May 11, 2009 brought with them, where they increase in first- class postage to 44 cents, WCHS will. e-mail letter/ came from and how they lived. receipts to those who have e-mail addresses and mail hard copies to The exhibit will be at the museum those who do not. To discuss this individually, please call me at until July 1. To help visitors 734 .662.9092, or e-mail [email protected] research their own roots, Genea­ logical Society of Washtenaw County will be on hand the first Sunday of May and June. Thank You! to The Ann Arbor News for donating seven months' worth of paper for our newsletter.

• Page 3' WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IMPRESSIONS MAY 2009 U of M Students Experience History at MoMS

less of how they may have learned history in high school, now we will be talking about interpreta­ tion and analysis, not just the rote memorization of facts. I also tell them that for me, history is about imagination, trying to put oneself in the shoes of someone who lived in very different circumstances in the past but who was just as human and complex as we are today. For these reasons too, having the students visit a mu­ seum reinforced the lessons I hope to convey throughout the semester. "Even though some of these students may not pick up another U of M History 261 students on assignment at MoMS history book after the semester ends, it is likely that they will go to "On a bright spring day in early April, some 100 University of Michi­ a museum at some point in the gan students visited the Museum on Main Street to see the current future, " continues McClellan. "The exhibition, Coming to Wa shtenaw County," says Susan Nenadic, WCHS evocative power of artifacts can board member and chaiiUf the exhibition. "Their backpacks piled up in make museum exhibits seem great stacks in the front hall, they represented the more than twice that particularly authentic and authori­ number who had come to the museum in March." tative. But exhibits too can have a It all began with a conversation between Nenadic and Karen Jania, point of view, and I wanted my also a WCHS board member. Jania provided contact information for students to practice using the Michelle McClellan, PhD, a professor of American history and public same analytical skills on a mu­ history at the University of Michigan. seum exhibit that they would use "I e-mailed her and we met for coffee," continues Nenadic. "Out of evaluating a book or essay. that fortuitous networking, not only did I convince Michelle to join the Coming to Washtenaw County board, but the conversation led us to this 'town and gown' cooperative was ideally suited as an assign­ project involving student visits to the exhibition. ment for the course I taught this "Many students think of history as something they can learn only semester, U.S. History since the from a textbook while sitting in the classroom," says Michelle McClellan. Civil War. " "I tell my students that, on the contrary, history is all around them, in "While it was an assignment class and out. Moreover, people are trying to "sell" them historical for the U of M students who came interpretations- particular conclusions about the meaning of the past- all to the museum, most were very the time. Politicians and pundits, television and movies, even popular thorough," adds Nenadic. "They songs often incorporate arguments about the significance of the past as it read everything, took notes, applies to the present." listened to the autobiographical McClellan says that in addition to having her students analyze books tapes and entered our contests. and essays and write research papers, she tries to craft assignments that One student later e-mailed that he will provide students with the skills needed to evaluate the historical would like to find some of the interpretations they will encounter beyond the classroom. Believing that materials, so I sent him informa­ museums and historic sites are essential to the learning of history she tion. Another young man was on welcomed the opportunity to assign her students a visit to the immigra­ the board of education in tion exhibition at MoMS. Whitmore Lake and we talked at "The movement of peoples has been fundamentally important in some length. Several planned to shaping modern America, and I had already planned to spend consider­ teach history. One girl found a able time on this topic," says McClellan. "I always emphasize that regard:- typo in one of our exhibits, which • Page 4' WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IMPRESSIONS MAY 2009 we gratefully fixed. another visit. They reported surprise at some of the things they learned According to McClellan, the through the artifacts and text of the exhibit. Because the exhibit spanned museum visit was an integral part a longer time period than the class and covered issues that we had not of the course and not an optional addressed, I hope that it inspired some students to read further on these field trip. She incorporated the topics, to take other history courses, to visit more museums-and of visit into a series of required course, to return to the Museum on Main Street for the next exhibit!" assignments and to give students McClellan thanks the board and staff of the Museum on Main Street, background and context, provided especially Rachel Pooley, Susan Nenadic and Pauline Walters, for their lecture material throughout the cooperation. She says, "I consider this collaboration a great success and semester on geographical mobility I hope that it is the first of many such initiatives!" in the United States, and on According to Susan Nenadic, plans are in process for more interac­ immigration patterns, restrictions tions with the university. She mentions a project with U of M museum and policies. studies students for a fall exhibition, for which an undergraduate has "After consulting with Susan helped with research; a survey by U of M School of Information students; Nenadic, who designed the and a project with Concordia University. Watch for more information in exhibit, I developed a worksheet future issues of Impressions. that included a question-and­ answer format on some specific elements of the exhibit and some guided questions for a written reflection that students would Volunteer Opportunities complete after their visit," she says. "That short writing exercise asked students to consider the Available at the Museum differences between history presented through artifacts and on Main Street written about in a book. Then, students wrote a longer paper assessing the significance of Work in the Museum Shop mobility in American life. They This job involves working for one hour per week in the pleasant were required to include two environment of the museum to maintain the stock of books and items for examples from the museum sale, maintaining the computerized inventory of stock, advising the exhibit, as well as drawing on docents who sell the goods, and depositing sale monies. course readings, to complete the paper. Because of the size of the Help Maintain the Garden class (250 students), we allowed students to self-schedule and visit If you have time to spare and enjoy gardening, please call the MoMS on their own during regular to add your name to those working with the "Garden Ladies" to maintain museum hours and one extra our beautiful garden, a jewel in the gateway to downtown Ann Arbor. They session during which the museum take pride in keeping the grounds lush and appealing and will welcome was open specifically for them. your assistance. Before the visits began, I met with To volunteer, please contact the museum at 734.662.9092 or e-mail Docent Rachel Pooley to explain [email protected] my goals and go over the written assignments. Rachel provided wonderful guidance for the stu­ dents, as well as logistical over­ sight in helping everything run smoothly. "The students enjoyed the chance to get out of the classroom and experience history in a different setting," says McClellan. "Many took copious notes, stayed at the museum for more than an hour, and even returned for • Page 5· W COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IMPRESSIONS M

Sue Daniel, 248.477.3335, or visit Historical Society the MORSA web site at of Michigan Patriots and Upcoming one-roomschool.org Presidents Historic Sites Events Bus Tour Genealogical Society When: Saturday, May 30, Washtenaw County of Washtenaw County 2009, 8 am to 6 pm Details: Tour stops include: Historic District Stephen Charter will present Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential 'There are no Dumb Questions in Commission Center - Speigle Grove in Fre­ Genealogy!" A panel of GSWC When: Thursday, May 14, 5:30 mont, Ohio; Fallen Timbers experts will follow the lecture. p.m. Memorial & Battlefield in Toledo , When: Sunday, May 17, 2009, Where: Washtenaw County Ohio; Fort Meigs State Memorial 1:30 pm Learning Resource Center, corner Park in Perrysburg , Ohio; River Where: Education Center of Hogback and Washtenaw. Pass Raisin Battlefield War of 1812 Auditorium, St. Joseph Mercy Hogback going east on Washtenaw. Visitor Center in Monroe Michigan. Hospital Campus, 5305 Elliott Turn left into driveway of St. Luke's Tour includes charter bus trans­ Drive, Ypsilanti, Michigan church, and proceed northwards to portation, buffet lunch, all admis­ Admission: Free and open to Learning Resource Center. sions and full tour narration. the public. Visitors are welcome. Details: Scott Hedburg, Leaves at 8:00 am from northeast Information: GSWC Presi­ preservation activist, "Tale of the corner of the Northville Meijer dent, Marcia McCrary, Delhi Bridge." The presentation parking lot, 20401 Haggerty Rd , 734.483.2799, includes the history of the sustain­ Northville , Michigan , 1/4 mile [email protected] able 1836 "Michigan Village" with west of 1-275. http://www.hvcn.org/info/gswc/ its Huron River bridges, and Registration Fee: $99 for continues to the rehabilitation of members and $125 for non­ the most recent iron bri~ _ _ members (includes one-year HSM University of Michigan Information: Nancy Snyder at membership). Download registra­ [email protected] Detroit Observatory Tours tion brochure from When: From 1 to 4 pm on the hsmichigan.org/workshops.php or following dates: call 517.342.1828 to reg ister by Michigan One-Room Saturday, May 23, 2009 phone. School Association Saturday, June 13, 2009 Annual Conference Sunday, June 28, 2009 Where: 1398 East Ann Street, Kempf House Museum When: Saturday, May 16, Ann Arbor, MI Open House Tours 2009, 8:30 am Details: Parking available at Where: Woodland School and When: Sundays through street side meters or cashier­ June 14, excluding Memorial Day the Weber-Blaess One-Room attended lots directly across the School in Saline, MI. Weekend, from 1 to 4 pm street at the U of M Cardiovascu­ Where: 312 S. Division St., Details: The featured speaker lar Center, or beneath the Life will be Janice Stein, local author Ann Arbor, MI Sciences Institute on Palmer Parking available in large public of Schools of Yesteryear, Volume Drive, near the corner of I, featuring the country schools of lot south of Kempf House Washtenaw and Huron. Details: See the 1890s life Sand Beach & Sherman Town­ Information: Call the Bentley ships. A highlight of the confer­ style of the German-American Historical Library at 734.764.3482 Kempf family, and learn about the ence is a session on the history or during open houses, the obser­ early history of Ann Arbor. and renovation of the Weber­ vatory itself at 734.763.2230. Admission: Free. Donations Blaess School, an integral part of Email to the Saline Area Schools. appreciated [email protected]. Information: 734.994.4898, Registration Fee: $35.00 Website is www.bentley.umich.edu www.kempfhousemuseum.org Information: Jim & Cheryl - follow the links to the Detroit Hoeftt, 734 .429.5922. Observatory.

• Page 6 • Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Ann Arbor, MI Permit No. 96

WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Post Office Box 3336 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106-3336

WEDNESDAY· MAY 20, 2009 6:00-9:00 PM MEMBER 2009 ANNUAL MEETING • ELECTION OF JAN E TRIPP OFFICERS ·POT LUCK SUPPER 3260 BLUED RD ANN ARBOR M148105-1528 MILAN SENIOR & COMMUNIlY ACTIVIlY CENTER ------45 NECKEL COURT • MILAN, MI

INFORMATION • c:::;:;::, 73 4. C?§~~ ;;;;: .~ CO:2::: 1,/" II If 11111 J/IJ, ,11/, /II If 11,/, i)lf I, /I" j 1111,1 JI'II /1,11 J www.WashtenawHistory.o;g·--···- , -'---'

WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IMPRESSIONS MAY 2009 JAY SNYDER Addendum to the 2008 Annual Report: Endowment Mission Statement It is the function of the endow­ included in the amount invested. ment committee to oversee The total amount of $2,005 was The purpose of the Washtenaw endowment funds, and report used to purchase shares in Bond County Historical Society relevant information to the board Fund of America. This purchase is to foster interest in of directors and to the member­ added diversity to the endowment and to elucidate the history ship-at-Iarge. Endowment policy portfolio. The portfolio currently of Washtenaw County and policy implementation is by consists of approximately 10 from the time of the original vote of the entire board of direc­ percent bonds and 90 percent inhabitants to the present. tors. Endowment assets are large cap mutual funds. Its mission shall be restricted in use to long-term The worldwide economic to carry out the mandate as capital improvements. The endow­ downturn has not spared the stated through the preservation ment portfolio is in the process of endowment portfolio. The market and presentation of artifacts and diversification and building value of the portfolio on Decem­ information by exhibit, assembly, principal. No earnings have yet ber 31 , 2008 was $16,838. The and publication. And to teach, been assigned or spent on large cap investments have especially our youth, the facts, projects. decreased in market value by 35 value and the uses of Washtenaw During the calendar year percent within the year. We ask County history through exhibits 2008, endowment donations those of you are able to please in museums and classrooms, totaling $1 ,352 were received. An keep the Washtenaw County classes, tours to historical places, additional $653 from membership Historical Society Endowment and other educational activities. dues and general donations was Fund on your giving list.