IMPRESSIONS WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEWSLETTER· NOVEMBER 2003 Your Museum
Our next exhibit on trunks, barrels, chests "DoHhouses and T~vs and kitchen implements. ofYesteryear" will open They will be sold at auc OFFICERS to the public on Satur tion at a future date and day, November 8 at the proceeds used to PRESIDENT Pauline V. Walters noon. After that we will further our mission. IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT be open every Wednes One reason we ueed Susan Cee Wineberg day, Saturday and Sun to deaccession dupli VICE PRESIDENT day from noon to 4 PM cate items is our need to Ralph P. Beebe We wiII also have our tnove from our space at TREASURER Holiday Open Bouse on Willow Run to a new lo Patricia W. Creal Saturday and Sunday, cation. We need about RECORDING SECRETARY December 6 & 7 and De 1000 square feet for Judith Chrisman cember 13 & 14. We storage and the space CORRESPONDING -will have a Christmas needs to be accessible SECRETARY tree decorated with an evenings and week Richard L Galant. Ph.D. tique ornaments and ends. If you know of DlREOORS modem electric lights as such a place in the area, Patricia Austin well. Our gift shop is please let us know! We Rosemarion Blake stocked with wonderful are unable to store our Ann OeFreytas Tom Freeman items that make great large items in our small Peggy Haines holiday gifts. We are a house and hope we will Susan Kosky free museum with dona find suitable new quar Randy W. LaHote tions appreciated and ters soon. We are also Sherri Getz Peller Roy Reynolds we are also handicap accessible. We have lim looking for an angel to give us $100 to restore Gladys Saborio ited onsite parking at our location at N. Main the wooden works of one of the clocks \ve are Jay Snyder and Beakcs in Ann Arbor but there is street keeping. Anyone out there with time and. $$$ on Cynthia Yao parking nearby. For more information call their hands? DlREOORS-AT-LARGE Pauline Walters at 734-662-9092. Our Museum is looking better and better Harriet Birch Randy LaHote, chairoftbe Director Search tbanks to the WOIK of Bill Oick. He has fin Hon. Julie Creal Goodridge Committee, reported that they have narrowed ished the ramp in the rem- and will be painting it down the 34 applications to seven people to and the front porch too. He will soon tackle the interview The connnittee will begin interview otberprojects that need work. INFORMADOI ing this month. We hope to bire someone by Published Seven Times A Year January 1. It will be exciting to finally have a From September-May. Susan Cee Wineberg. Editor paid staff person who will whip us into shape. [email protected] Tom Freeman reported continued increase in Museum On Main Street value in the Bach Bequest. Collections Chair VIsit our Holiday 500 N. Main Street at Beakes Street Judy Chrisman reported that our grinding and Open Houses Post Office Box 3336 ox cart wheels have been given to the Cobble Ann Arbor. MI 48106-3336 December 6 and 7 stone Farm while the ox yoke is theirs on loan. 734.662.9092 and 13 and 14 Phone: Sbe also reported that more items from Gordon Fax 734.663.0039 and experience Email: [email protected] Hall have been given to the Dexter Area Histori our Dollhouse and Victorian Web Site: cal Society. and that the many boxes of prop Toy Exhibit which will be up www.washtenawhistory.org erty abstracts we have will be going to the Ge from November 8 Annual dues are individual. $15; nealogical Society's Library, currently on Hill to January 10, 2004. couple/family $25; student or Street At its last meeting, the WCHS Board senior (60+) $10; senior couple voted to deaccession 34 itcrns, most of which $19; business/association $50; patron $100. are duplicates. These range from clocks, to WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IMPRESSIONS NOVEMBER 2003
SERGEANT MICHAEL LOGGHE True Crimes And The History . Of The Ann Arbor Police Department
19 years with the police department and saloons as well as fines for breaking ordi it's gone by real quick I started the book nances was what paid fo r tile earliest p0- years ago and I only regret that 1 made a lice department. which consisted of Olle lot ofgrammatical mistakes that didn't get marshal and five patrolmen. At the time caught before it was published. I had to there were 38 saloons,. gambling hal Is and pay for and buy all the copies myself, so it other things considered unsavory· for the was a gamble. Edwards Brothers printed student population in tins very small to\m it and I bad 200 cases of books, which I I didn't realize how much gambling there hauled in my truck to my house in was in Ann Arbor until I started research Brighton. I barely made it home and then ing this book It was quite connnon until when I looked at one book I discovered Ule 1950s_ and literally millions ofdollars the photos were upside down! Luckily, in gambling went through the city every however, it was only in one book that they year. The longest investigation ever made made that mistake. I kept that one as a in AmI Atbor involved gambling. One souvenir. police chief was furced out due to the I've always had an interest in history scandal associated with the United Cigar and 1 especially loved American history. I Store at Huron and Chapin which was a even won a ~a1 Studies Award in high center of the gambling in town. I ha"e all Sgt Michael Logghe talks about his school! When I was grmvingup I wanted Ule memoxabilia that I collected in SOllle book on the history of the police de to be either a police officer or a history cases in the History· Room in the police partment in Ann A rbor. Photo : S teacher. For whatever reason, I chose the station and that includes some neat Wineberg. path to the police. I love being associ things. Ifwe ever obtain a new building I ated with the AIUl Atbor Police Depart hope to get a bigger facility for all these On .~day, October 19 in the sun-filled Reatal Hall ojUniversityCommons, more ment which has a quite rich history. artifacts on the police. than 50 people heard Michael Logghe s It was established in 1871 after a legis The book came about because of jascinaJing tale ofthe crimes committed lative cOlmnittee from the Michigan State Truman TIbbals, the owner of Drake's in our small Midwestern town. Vice Legislature made a visit and reported they Sandwich Shop on North University from President Ralph Beebe introduced the ",ere "quite surprised at Ule moral tone, or speaker a<; someone he encountered when lack Ulerefore, in the city and relayed ti.lf:ir he heard him lecture on his book (with feelings to city council. Council obviously the above title) published in 2002 at his wanted to protect the university, keep it own expense and on his own time. The in Ule city and Ule money it brought into book can be purchased at the Liberty town. n Although fearful of reperctJ&9ons,. Street Border s Book<;tore and is several the council did pass a resolution in Octo hundredpages. organized by decade. and ber ofl871 with an ordinance stating Uw filled with pictures and copies of Ule "police force is required for protec newspaper articles. Logghe has been tion against burglars, situated as we are with the Ann Arbor Police Department on one of Ule great thoroughfures of the for 19 years and he started working on State and with a large floating population, his book six years ago. In researching conceming the character of which at the the history of the police department, best we can know but little, our City seems Logghe encountered many interesting to furnish a safe retreat for desperate char people. old timers. strange Jacts and a acters against whose depredations we surprising number of crimesl He I have little or no protection." They also recounted some of them Jor us this stated the need for "protection" against afternoon. incendiaries as well as accidental fires" and to ··suppress disorder and secure tbe "1 want to thank the historical society The First Ann Arbor Police Force. fur inviting me to speak I have now served enforcing of the ordinances of the city Photo: Courtesy M.logghe and state." A tax on billiard tables and • Page 2 • WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IMPRESSIONS NOVEMBER 2003
1935-1994, and the fact that be murderofOfficerStang. Hestill had been photographing every claimed his innocence, and policeman who came into his asked for a polygraph test For shop since 1939. A roster of reasons still not clear, he was names begi:rmingin July of1939 released from prison in 1949 extends over 10 pages in the with the help ofAnn Arbor Po book the last entty being in lice Chief Casper Enkemaon, 1993. Tibbals only allowed p0- who believed he could be umo licemen into his shop at night cent based on the results ofllis and he kept the back door open lie detector and truth serum forlilem. He'd fix them food and tests. He was however paroled, sometimes he would be cook not pardoned. Padgett had a sad ing for 20 officers. He ran the background, growing up in an store after midnigbt and his wife orphanage with Babe Ruth and Mildred ran it during the day. It Mug Shot of the murderer of Officer Stang. Photo: Courtesy going on to have a life ofcrime . was a real hangout for the offic- M.logghe The other two involved in the ers, something tbat doesn't ex- murder were never caught or ist today. I feel sorry for today's police who pulled guns and said 'this is a stick identified. I still have not understood why who haven't had an opportunity to net up! It's not ajoke.' others thought he was innocent. I bave work this way. Tibbals also clipped all Every police officer has stories about read the transcripts and feel that he '¥as a newspaper articles about the police and people who make jokes and say 'this is a consummate con artist. But Chief kept them together [They can be found at stick-up! ' or something to that effect. Of Enkemann was a stand-up man and he the back of the book] . fieer Stang walked a beat and knew the felt there might be some doubt as to his Before he died, Tibbals gave me a big owners 011 a first-name basis. When he guilt. There is a picture in lite book oflrim box of photographs and clippings. I was walked into the store. Mr. Wetherbee shaking ChiefEnkemann's band after his dumbfounded at finding these gorgeous yelled to officer Stang that it was a stick release from Jackson Prison. black and white photos. I put them in a up and Stang thought it was a joke. One One of the things I got due to writing scrapbook and Truman died a year later. of tbe thieves pushed a gun into this book was the print card for Shorty His family then gave me another big box Wetherbee's stomach and said 'shut up which was in Joe Burke's office-Burke full ofthe newspaper clippings. I had this or I ' II blow your guts out. ' Stang also was being the son of Padgett's attorney treasure trove of information and I real approached by a man with a gun who put George Burke. Joeisnowan~pros ized I needed to write a history of the p0- it into his back. He tried to subdue his ecuting attorney for the county. The lice department so I could share this with attacker and was shot dead right there in Washtenaw County Court had all the Ann Arbor. The book is dedicated to the store. Over 2,000 people attended his court files for this case ill a big box and Truman as a result. I had never under fimeral. they were going to destroy it the year that taken a project like this before so there The attackers fled to a waiting car and a 1 was looking into this case! I·was able to was a learning curve involved. But it bas partial license plate nmnber was retrieved. get all that uuormation just in the nick of been a very rewarding experience. Many Although tbe abandoned vehicle was time. I even have the actual bullet that people caIne forward with memorabilia and found in Jackson the suspects were be killed Officer Stang (along with liteenve infonnation, their grandfather's scrapbook lieved to be from Detroit. Mr. Wetherbee lope it was in from the surgeon) in the and other materials. The book is divided went to Detroit and looked at mug books display case in our History Room at the into decades and I've picked my favorites and eventually identified William police department. We've been lucky to to talk about today. "Shorty" Padgett as a possible suspect. get as much as we did and also lucky that We've only had one murder ofa police Padgett was also known as William only one officer has been killed in the line officer in the city of Ann Atbor [otbers Hayden. He was eventually arrested in of duty. have died in traffic accidents or from heart Los Angeles and returned to Ann Atbor I was also referred to a retired officer in attacks] and this was on March 21, 1935. for trial in 1936. He had already served a Tecumseh named George Camp who TheafiarWG5Oifford Stang and he mlS prison tenn at Jackson Prison for anned served as a police officer flOm 1930-1940. killed w·hen he interrupted a burglary at robbery. When I intervie'wed him he was literally the Conlin-Wetherbee Oothing Store at There were many nuances involved in on Iris deatbbed, dying of liver cancer, at U8E, Washington (now the site ofAlbar this murder. Padgett was tried and found the age of 90. He was still sharp tbough Brewing). He had gone into the store to guilty and sent to prison for life in 1935. and remembered every detail oftlw crime, buy a tie clasp at tIle behest of his wife However. he appealed his sentence in 1944 including the name ofOfficer Stang's wife! who wanted him to look shalp. The OWIl and he '¥as granted a new trial based on I W'
- PageS- VVASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IMPRESSIONS NOVEMBER 2003
Chamberlain ordered one of the men Dr. Rarick. standing around to get a pail of water, At first., no hope was held for his recov The Tragedy while Mr. Chamberlain helped get the ery. He remained unconscious for days wounded out of the wreck, one of them and was in the hospital for weeks with a Of Dr. Herrick being a man who head was a bloody mass crushed skull. He did recover, but he had and therefore unrecognizable. He was to wear a metal plate on the back of his Continued from page 5. also unconscious. The men carried the head for the rest of his life, and he never injured acrosslhe railroad tracks and laid regained his previous health and his mind College in 1917. He is erroneously identi them beside the road. By this time the lo was permanently impaired. His mother fied in the Michiganensian as Harry Jay cal Red Cross unit had arrived headed by died in the 19305 and an attempt was made Herrick He was waiting for bis commis Mrs. Katherine McKune. She got there to commit him to the Ypsilanti State hos sion in the Army Dental Corps when he within five minutes. pital. A second attempt in 1945 was suc had the misfortune to go home for the Mrs. McKune spent the next few min cessful. weekend and be on the intel1.llbm car that utes calling local physicians, druggists, In 1942 J joined the militaJ)' service and \\'3S hit by the loaded freight car. Red Cross members and arranging forthe at that time Dr. Jay and his father seemed TheD. U.R Depot in Chelsea was on use ofthe Town Hall and Firemen's HaIl. to be getting along. J did not return to Main and v.m Buren and a spur ran on the Cots, blankets, bandages, and all needed Ann Arbor until 1950 when I purchased side for the loading and unloading of supplies were drawn from Red Cross one of Miss Ellen Morse's houses at 403 freight. Two little neighbor boys, stockpiles prepared for war use. Calls were N. State. I ~oined the St. Thomas Choir. I...awrmce Wackenbut and John Kwsch, made for a hospital car and physicians We gave a Christmas concert at Ypsilanti a cousin ayear or two older than I, were in from Ano Arbor 's three hospitals, Univer State Hospital and to my surprise Dr. Jay the freight section watching the car being sity Hospital, St. Joseph's Mercy Hospi was sitting in the front row with his hat unloaded. When the men fInished, they tal and the Homeopathic Hospital. Mrs. plullked right dov,n on his head the W SUSAN WINEBERG Around The Town The University of Michigan demol use the same interesting shingle pattern ished the Planada Apartment House on the roof that was there before. With at 1127 E. Ann in mid-October, despite the suspension of the IHP District, tJle pleas from bistoric preservationists to cemetery is no longer protected. The find another use for it. The best use for 300 block of S. Main is still in the Main them is a parking structure and a park Street Historic District however. And ing structure it will be. It is tragic that Wystan Stevens continues his tradi the University continues to demolish tion ofhistorical storytelling in the For buildings of historic value to the com est Hill Cemetery every Sunday until munity, setting a bad example in how mid-November. The tours begin at 2 lobe a good neighbor. Despite the criti PM and cost $] O. Just meet at the cem cal lack of affordable bousing in cen etery gate. TIlis is a treat not to be tral Ann Arbor, the University contin missed. ues to demolish buildings on its bor Another nice event in October was ders and ignore its own Architecture . the dedication of the Gateway Garden and Urban Plaruting College's fmdings at the Nichols Arboretum ill front of on the need for increased density in the the Burnham House that was moyed urban core to restrain some of the there from Wall Street in 1998. Prob sprawl arowld Wasbtenaw COWlty. Fa~de of 305 S. Main after metal lems with runoff from Forest Hill cem front removed. Photo: S. Wineberg Shame on them. etery challenged the landscape archi Several historic district committees iug covering the 1981 century facades tects and everyone is hoping this new have held public hearings and have pro of 303-307 S. Main was removed, re design will prevent the erosion prob posals maki.ng their way to City Coun vealing buildings covered in green paint lems of the past cil for approval. The LowerTo\\'n His but in reasonably good condition and The Detroit Observatory continues toric District v.·ill be the topic of our with some original windows intact. its tours and lectures in November and November meeting and the Individual Amvest Property Management will be December. Tours of the facility built in Hi~10ric PrOI)erties District has been managing the new office and retail 1854 and restored ill 1999 will be held re-formed into Thematic Districts for space. The Historic District Commis on November 19, December 3 and churches, businesses, apartment build sion last year approved Forest Hill December 10 from 1-4 PM. On T ucs ings, and transportation-related build Cemetery's storage barn for demoli day November 18, Brian Dunnigan ings (including old gas stations). The tiOll. The new addition is supposed to of the Clements Library lectures on thematic districts are proposed Mackinac Before Photogra for buildings that were for phy: Travelers, Artists and merly protected. They were Cartographers, 1634-1870. grouped into themes at the On Tuesday, December 2, suggestion ofthe State Historic Sally Bond of the Bentley Li Preservation Office. Both dis- brary lectures onAlhert Kahil, tricts will be coming before " Master ofAmerican Industrial City Council early next year. Architecture. The lectures are Yours truly is on both of these free but are limited to the frrst commiuees as well as the His 40 people to arrive. The Ob toric District CODlDlission. servatory is located at 1398 E. When does she have time to Ann and can be reached at \"rite the Impressions? We'll 734-763-2230 or at keep you posted. ~ww.DetroitObservatol1· . Many noticeable changes to umich.edu. historic buildings have beeu The UM Michigan League happening around town. On Forest Hili Cemetery Is getting a new storage faCility. Photo: is gearing up for the cclebra- Main Street, the metal fram- S Wineberg tion of its 75 th anniversary. • Page 7· WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOC IETY IMPRESSIONS NOVEMBER 2003 They will be hosting, an A to organize the n SUSAN WINEBERG Around The·County Ypsilanti just keeps getting in the news tennial and have some more and more. In case you missed this 200,000 visitors a year chuckle. the v.inner of.a contest spon coming to pick apples sored by Cabinet Magazine for the most and bavea farm experi phallic building in the United States was ence with their fumilies. the Ypsilanti Water Tower. Congratula They were the van tions are in order. guard of "entertainment The Ann Arbor News (October 11) pro funning" which is some filed Wiard's Orchards, believed to be thing tbey needed to do the oldest continuous business in to remain viable. The Washtenaw County. It was in 1830 that original bam is DOW the 41113n Wiard moved hisfumily fromRoch gift shop and a haunted ester, New York. to Ypsilanti and farmed barn, bunny miniature with his son and brothers along Wiard golf course, pony rides, and Grove Roads, growing apples, and hay jump and animal making cider and vinegar. TIle original pettingfann, along with fann was purchased by Henry Ford to u-pick apples and JlUIIlIr EMU Alumni of the Historic Preservation Program have make way for the expressway leading to kins, is now part of tIle their first meeting with President Kirkpatrick. Bill Click at Willow Run and the fatnily then moved to fann experience. You left organized it all Photo: David Tillman. the current SO-acre apple finn on Merritt. can leam more by visit TIl.e)' recently celebrated their Sesquicen- ing their website at • Page 8 • WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IMPRESSIONS NOVEMBER 2003 www.wianls.comorcalling734482-7744. The Hack IIou.!le Mwleum in Milan has mas and All HolUlay Bazaar on Satur The folks in the Preservation Program a new curator, Patricia Majber. She re day, December6,fiom 94 at theMusemn, at Eastern are just getting more and more rently published an article on cobblestone 3443 Inverness S1. and aOtristmas T,.ee organized. Recent graduate BiD Click houses in Michigan History lnagazine Trim on Thursday, November 20. The organized the first alumni organization and is a graduate of the Preservation Pro Amulal Christmas Sing will be held Fri for the program and hosted the first meet gram at EMU. TheMilanAreaHistorical day, December 12, at the Musemn at 7 ing at the newly opened President's Society will be SPOlOOring a talk by David PM For more information call 734-426- th House October 20 . It was a great recep Bridgens on Thursday, November 20 on 2519. tion and this was quite a coup for the pro "Outhouse Archaeology. " Bridgens of The folks at Waterloo will also be rel gram. A photo shows Bill Click at the :far the Michigan Historical Museum in Lan ebrating a VlClorian Christmas on Sat left witll many graduates oftlle program sing will discuss not only fue obvious unlay,December6from 10-5 PM and on flanking President Kirkpatrick. And per function of outhouses but also their sec Sunday, December 7, ooon-5 PM "'Our haps beginning a new tradition, the pro ondary role at a place to dispose broken Victorian Christmas will wann your heart gram will co-sponsor a Civil War Christ household goods and other items which and bring back lovely visions of Christ mas Ball on Satunlay, December 6, 8-11 provide a glimpse of fue material culture mases past." They are located at 9998 PM at tlle McKenney Union Ballroom ofthe Wit century. The talk will be held at Waterloo-Mmtith Road. Just over the bor Tickets are $201perron prepaid and $25 at tlle Old Fire Barn at Main and County der in Jackson County Call 517- 596- the door. All proceeds will benefit the Streets in downtown Milan. Call 734-971- 2254. Ypsilanti Civil War Muster and is also 2776 ifyou need more infonnation. Ifyou grew up in East Ann Arbor, you sponsored by tlle EMU Reenactors. Call The Saline Area Historical Society lnight want to join the 'breakfast club' of Pam at 313-534-4678 or email continues its program on Henry Ford with the Pittsfield Township folks which meets psefb(~ahoo.com a lecture on Wednesday, November 19 at onre a month at the Big Boy near Platt Rd. The Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation 7:30 PM by Pat Molloy, local business and Wash1enaw. TIle newsletter also re continues its speakers program with a talk woman who will discuss the Ford School ported the results oftIle small ' dig' in June by John Harrington on Wednesday, No i" Saline. The building, now housing her by April Beisaw and Ma.n:ia TIcknor at vember 19, on " The History ofPrinling." office, was moved by Henry Ford from the original site of the Thwn HaD School On Wednesday, January 28, Sally Bond the Saline River and intended to be for on Morgan Road They found the foun ,\-illiecture on "Albert Kahn, Master of children of his employees WllO worked at dations of the 1852 brick school and also American Jndustriol Architecture. " So, the mill The talk is free and at the Depot, evidence offlint knapping from an earlier if you miss her talk at the Observatory 402 N. Ann Arbor S1. On Saturday, De period. Pieces of slate pencils, marbles, December 2, you can calch it here! All ttmber 13,from 114 trerewillbea 0trN crockery and metal were also found. If ta1ks are free and held at 7 :30 at the Ladies mas Open House atthe Rentschler Fann you want to learn more about Pittsfield Litera:ryClub, 218N. WasbingtonSL You Museum, 1265 E. Michigan Avenue. TIle Township, visit their website at can find out moreat www.ybtorg. Queen Anne farmhouse will be decorated www.piUsfieldbistoly.org. orcallPresKb1t Anolller single resource historic dis for a 1930s Christmas with good smells Betty LeClair at 734-971-2384. trict is reaching its final stages and will comiugfrom the kitchen. Yum! Formore The Ann Arbor News on October 11 soon submit its report to the Board of info call 734-769-2219. reported the re-opening of the historic Commissioners. The McMahon Springs TIle PittsflCld Thwoship Historical S0- Foster Bridge after sLX months ofwolk. It Historic District, located at 2426 ciety will be holding a Panel on One is one ofa handful of metal truss bridges WhitmoreLake RoodinAnnArborThwn Room SchoolsonSunday, November 9 at left in Michigan and dates from 1876. A ship, has been under study for ahnost two 2 PM at tlle community center, 701 W. group ofCitizens for Foster Bridge Con years. Connnittee members include Janis El.!s\\ortbRd. On Sunday, December 14, servancy raised money to pay consult &brill, TomNirely, GeneRaglani, Grace . a holidaygathering witilfingerfoods and ants for a rehab plan and the ViDage of Shackman, and myself Ex-officios are the beverages will be held at a location to be Barton Hills contributed $225,000 from owners Brian and Linda Etter, Mamie announced. Their last newsletter noted their Michigan Transportation Funds, Paulus, Preservation Planner in the the death ofBaroid A. WIlson, a lifelong which was lnatched by the Wasbtellaw Washtenaw County Planning Depart resident who transferred his property to County Road Connnission. Now that we ment, and Nancy Snyder, Chair of the the township as a farm museum, along can celebrate this success, those in the Washtenaw County HDC. The district with $150,000 if it was called the county who care about bridges should consists of a house built in 1867 on 1.4 Sutherland-Wilson Fann Museum. Mr. encourage the Road Commission to re acres along with a garage converted from Wtlson died on June 14 and he was eulo store the BeD Road Bridge as well Built tlle furrner dairy barn. Notable landscape gized as being a model citizen. in a similar maImer and of a silnilar age, features include tbree springs and a trout It will soon be the holiday season and this bridge now lies on the bank of the pond. A 19-page preliminary report is many groups are holding special events. Huron, waiting for funds for restoration. available from the county. Call Mamie at The Dexter Area Historical Museum will Let's get this bridge restored too! 734-222-6878. hold two new events this year: a Christ- • Page9· WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IMPRESSIONS NOVEMBER 2003 SUSAN WINEBERG Beyond Washtenaw The Henry Ford Mu mer. The plant is now on seum and Greenfield Vil the state and national reg lage re-opened in August isters ofhistoric buildings. under a new name-The You can find out more Henry Ford-and with about them at their w-ebsite new features and facilities. WWW.tpIeLOrg or by call It is already calling itself ing 313-867-8960. "America's Greatest His Motor Cities ANHA tory Attraction" after this (Automobile National $60 million makeover ac Heritage Area) continues cording to the Wall Stred to interpret and track Jounud. As they noted, events at various automo the Museum, which first bile-related sites through opened in 1929 has har- out SE Lower Michigan. nessed "modernity in the The Ann Arbor House (now Robert Frost House) at Greenfield Much energy has been fo service of antiquity" and Village. Photo: S. Wineberg cused on the Top Eleven has made more sense out Sites and Stories Initiative, ofthe disparate artifacts and buildings celebrations in the auto industry over among which are the renovation of than there was before. The familiar the sunnner. Both Ford and Buick Reynolds Hall in Jackson County. exhibits on the Wright Brothers, celebrated their 100th anniversaries (after a near brush with death), the Edison's Lab, Firestone's Farm and with vintage car shows and other listing of the historic parts of the others are still there. What's new are hoopla. And the birthplace of the Rouge Complex on the National concrete roads, sidewalks, and a Model T -the Piquette Plant in Register, and the restoration of the chance to take a ride in a Model T. Detroit-is still undergoing renovation Packard Proving Grounds in Shelby Of importance to Ann Arbor is the by a dalicated group ofvoJunteers who Township. Other buildings receiving Greek Revival house that was moved opened it up for tours over the surn- attention are the Dry Dock Engine from Pontiac Trnil in the Works (aka the Globe 1930s. Interpreted in the Building) in Detroit's past as the "Ann Arbor Rivertown which was House," it is now being documented by the HAER interpreted as the "Robert (Historic American Engi Frost House" because he neering Record) for deposit resided in it for one year. in the Library of Congress. Somehow, it just doesn't h is one of the oldest steel seem the same. Next year framed industrial buildings the Museum will begin to remaining in Detroit and is offer tours of the River also one ofthe last connec Rouge Plant. There is tions to pre-automotive in also the Benson Ford dustries in Ddroit. Another Research Center with success story is the resources to study the au Boydell Building in tomobile and Henry Ford. downtown Detroit, which There were also other Greenfield Village now has paved roads and sidewalks as well as was slated to be demolished its familiar attractions. Photo: S. Wineberg • Page 10· WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IMPRESSIONS NOVEf,1BER 2003 for the Greektown Casino and is now being spared in stead. If you want to learn more, write them at 300 River Place, Suite 1600, Detroit 48207 or visit their website at www.auto heritage.org or call 313-259-3425. If you are already thinking about Christmas, you rnay want to take a tour given by the Downtown Historic Churches Association of Detroit. The tour is Satur day, December 27 from 10 AM and includes five churches including Historic Trinity Church. The cost is $20 which includes a box lunch. Call the church at 313- 567-3100. One of Detroit's premier architects is having a show, but it's in Ointon in Lenawee County. The Historical L...... o...-__~ ...... rl;;"".,;~ ...... c...-_:.,'\: Society of Clinton was awarded a $16,000 grant fur their The new entry to Greenfield Village. Photo: S. Wineberg Wirt C. Rowland Traveling Exhibit Rowland was the architect of the Guardian and Penobscot Buildings in Detroit, Kirk in the Hills and Jefferson Avenue Presbyte rian Church, and a native of Clinton. To find out more about this exhibit, contact the Tecumseh Area Histori cal Society at 517-423-2374. In September they were offering free windows with wavy (old!) glass and a door. Maybe it's still available. The Michigan Stained Glass Census at Michigan State University Museum will soon latDlch a brief bi monthly email newsletter that will include updates on their activities and general news about stained glass in Michi gan. If you' re interested, email macdowe3 @pilot .m su.edu. Henry Ford thought highly offarmers. Greenfield Village. Photo: S. Wineberg What Is It??? Our Education Chair Sally Silvennoinen would like teachers and groups to know about her work with the "What's It" Game. It consists of 12 artifacts from our collections and travels with Sally to schools or groups who request it. One artifact is a candle mold. Another is a foot warmer used in sleighs that brings back memories of her grandpa's sleigh blanket and warming stone. Sally has question sheets with three choires and you guess what the artifact is. She also demonstrates how it was used. Sally also manages our two Loan Boxes, entitled Life Before Electricity and Hats to Spats. Both loan boxes are available for $1 5.00, with a deposit of $50. They are seJf-guided and designed particularly for elementary and middle schoolchildren. They consist of artifacts that can be touched, books, and ideas for projects. Anyone inreresred in obmining the Loan Boxes, or in having Sally _ the What's It Game should call her at 734-971- 5086. 1 -Page11- WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IMPRESSIONS NOVEMBER 2003 Program Schedule 2003·2004 Vice President and Program Chair SUNDAY • MARCH 21 • 2 PM Downtown Street Exhibit Program Ralph Beebe has done a fantastic SALINE DISTRICT LIBRARY that is getting rave revie,vs allover the job of planning interesting programs 555 MAPLE RD. U.S. and winning awards as well. and venues for the upcoming year. All Sue Kosky. WCHS Board Member, You've probably noticed the glass programs are held the third Sunday of manager ofour museum shop and one markers in the sidewalks around town the month at 2 PM. The talks are free of our dedicated gardeners, will talk ,\ith old photographs of buildings no and open to the public. Members re about her book Historic Saline: Settle longer standing. A new group of ceive a post card before the meeting ment to 1950. This book is another in 'frames ' as they are called, which arc with instructions on how to reach the the Arcadia Series on "Images of scattered around the campus and deal lecture. Light refreshments are served America" which Grace Shackman's with University history, was dedicated after the lecture. books were part of as well. in July. SUIDIY SUNDAY • APRIL 18 • 2 PM WEDNESDAY • MAY 19 • 6 PM IOVEMIER 16 • 2 PM COURTHOUSE SQUARE BUILDING ANNUAL MEmNG • TBA GLiaaHILLS 100 S. FOURTH AVENUE H..YSEllIOOM Our Annual Meeting and Potluck Supper will be held this date. Location 1200 EAIIIAIT ID. Ray Detter, Louisa Pieper and Grace Shackman will talk. about The to be announced in the future. Sabra Briere, Chair of the Lower Town Historic District Study Connnit tee, will talk about historic preserva tion and the proposed Lower Town Historic District. Lower Town is the area on the north side of the Broad Kudos way Bridge which was once separate from Ann Arbor. It contains some of The Downtown Historical Street Exhibit Program vms presented a pres Ann Arbor's oldest homes, many of tigious Award of Merit by the Historical Society of l\1ichigan at their Annual which are associated with the Under Meeting in Port Huron in October. This project, which has erected markers \vith ground Railroad. historic photos on many downtown comers, has been winning av.'3rds from both state and national groups. Congratulations to Ray Detter, the director of the SUlDAY • FDRUARY 15 • 2 PM project, and Louisa Pieper and Grace Shackman, the driving forces making it RlVElSlDE ARTS caTEI work. YPSILlln • 76 N. HURON ST. John Revitte pre Barry LaRue Ypsilanti City COtDl sents the Award cil member and historic preservation of Merit for the activist., will lecture on Ypsilanti's His Street Exhibit pro toric Buildings. He served for nine gram to some of the personnel in years on Ypsilanti's Historic Dis volved: Grace trict Commission and is past board Shackman, Ilene mernberofthe Ypsilanti Heritage FOtDl Tyler, Susan dation. He is also active on the board Wineberg and Ray ofthe Riverside Arts Center, the 1909 Detter. Photo: Lars BjOln former Masonic Temple. He and his wife live in a ISO-year old house which they are lovingly restoring. • Page 12' WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IMPRESSIONS NOVEMBER 2003 SUSAN WINEBERG PAUUNE WALTERS· PRESIDENT News You Can Use Wish List The National Trust for Historic ington as well. WIlliamsburg is 150 COMPUTER GURU- The Soci Preservation announced there is a miles south of Washington DC and is ety seeks a volunteer who could put in growing movement among committed open year-round. Check out their a network between the three comput preservationists-a movement they website at www.colonialwilliams ers in the Museum to allow each to are proud to lead-whose goal is to burg.org. access email and any of the printers. give increased attention to historic re Congress was lobbied heavily and COORDINATOR OF GUIDESI sources from the recent past (the gave a short reprieve (five months) to DOCENTS. A volunteer to recruit last 50 years). As a result, they have the Transportation Equity Act docents for the Saturdays and Sundays helped communities in Northern Cali (TEA-21) which is a popular enhance when the Museum is open between fornia find a future for their World War ments program allowing for historic Noon and 4 PM. Also, extra docents! II resources that include shipyards, projects with a transportation connec guides for the two Holiday Open embarkation points and coast defense tion to be funded by federal grants. Houses the first two weekends of stations. 1his project is called '·Over However, the entire program has been December, also from Noon to 4 PM. Here." The T nlSt's leadership to save targeted for elimination by the Bush And volunteers to prepare the refresh buildings from the recent past is great administration. Preservationists are ments for the weekend Open Houses. news. It may prevent the demolition busy now trying to educate their con GARDEN COORDINATOR. A ofmany buildings that aren't quite his gressional representatives on how this person who can recruit and supervise toric enough to many to warrant pro bill protects historic resources in their volunteers for the Museum's gardens tection. states and districts. You too can help for the next season. Our gardens have In the "hard to believe" department by contacting your legislator and tell been developed to represent the plants is news that Colonial Williamsburg ing them the value of historic preser ofthe early 1900s by Patricia Thomp has a problem "vith decIining attendance vation in your area. The folks involved son and are well established. Nowthey and a budget deficit of $35 million. in this debate are on the Senate and need regular 1LC from persons that Ouch! If you've been thinking about House Interior Appropriations Com like to take care of a beautiful garden. visiting, do it now and help them at the mittees. Let them know how you feel. ON-CALL HANDIPERSON. same time. Although attendance be The Scenic Byways Program is Someone that can come by the Mu gan declining in 1995, it accelerated also under threat. This program, ad seum on a semi-regular basis to take after 9/11 and now they are laying off ministered by the Federal Highway Ad care of the small tasks that come up many people. This year the Carter's ministration, designates byways based from time to time, i.e., change light Grove Plantation was closed for re on archaeological, cultural, historic, bulbs, move tables/furniture, be on pairs and plans to open a resort spa natural, recreational and scenic quali hand when exhibits are being mounted, and center that will offer one-day ties. To date there are 95 designated and some such tasks. health evaluations for $3,OOO/person roadways in 39 states. Learn more at HOLIDAY GIFTS. Visit our Mu are being proposed. The Williamsburg www.byways.org. seum Shop in the Museum on Main Foundation, established in 1926, has al Interested in outdoor sculpture? The Stree~ 500 N. Main. ways had a resort component to help newsletter of the advocacy group Please drop by the Museum or call the historic restorations, which has 88 Save Outdoor Sculpture (SOS) will 734-662-9092. original buildings and rebuilt ones in be going online in November. Check BE A DOCENT - Team with a addition. Leaders worry that the pub out their website at www.heri friend. lic doesn't understand its mission and tagepreservation.org and learn that they need to work harder to at about all the outdoor sculptures being tract an audience. They would like to rescued around the country. be emotionally moving in the way that Ellis Island is . But they are not alone. Attendance is down 21 % at Mt. Vernon, the home of George Wash- - Page 13- WASHTENAW COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IMPRESSIONS NOVEMBER 2003 Remember When? ' Support Wanted spinning at her wheel. The Stickney's For Impressitlns were originally from New Hampshire and lived on 12d, Street in Ann Arbor which The Impressions are expensive to write, later became Haven Street which eventu produceand mail out to over 1000 people. ally was swallowed up by the UM School Your business can co-sponsor an issue of Business. Their home, which was at for $400, which is less than half what is the comer of Hill and Haven, was later costs us. We've had great sponsorship in that of Waher Mack before it became a the past but lately we haven't heard from UMAnnex to the Architecture School and you! Please consider helping us get the eventually demolished around 1970. historical new'S out by sponsoring an is sue. Your business' name will be boxed as the sponsor of that issue. Of course, anyone can sponsor an issue and we'd love to have help from our members as I "clI. SUpport FO! I I If you are an avid reader ofthe/mpres sions and are not a member, we strongly The Impress/tHIS I ., encourage you to join. Our membership Mrs. stickney at her spinning wheel stands at about 450 and we'd like to ex This issue of the Impressi011S I at home on Haven Street in Ann Arbor. I pand our base even more. The infonna is co-sponsored by the I ! Here's another purchase from Ebay non on how to join is on the front page of Bank of Ann Arbor the newsletter. Give it a thought! showing Mrs. Stickney dressed no doubt I I in her great grandmother's clothes and ______.. __l ! Non-Proflt Drg. U.S. Postage PAID Ann Arbor, MI Permit No. 96 WASHlII.W (OUITY HISTORiCAl soam Post Office Box 3336 Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106-3336 ·HOI.IDlY OPEN HOUSE" mEMIER 6, 7, 13 & 14 VISIT OUR DOLLHOUSE & VlCTOIIII TOY EXHIBIT IOVEMIEI 8 • JANUARY 10