THE STORY OF GREEN OAK TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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BY MARIEANNA BAIR

In anticipation of a proper observance of the country’s bicentennial, U.S. citizens determined there was a history of each community that needed to be recognized. Local representatives were appointed from the several nearby townships and Brighton City in 1974. Edna Peach, an appointee from Green Oak Township, soon became aware, as plans developed, that rural history was to be given short shrift. She determined very early to promote the idea of Green Oak Township organizing its own historical society. Active in the local Cooperative Extension Service Study Group, she inspired and enlisted members to form this new society. September 8, 1975, this group met at the township hall to begin their own undertaking. By October, a public meeting was scheduled and invitations extended to Jerry Roe, Preside, Historical Society of Michigan, Frank Wilhelm, Exec. Director and Ruby Rogers, Asst. Director, to attend the November 17, 1975, organizational meeting at the township hall. Here the society received its charter from the HSM. The Township board continued its support by providing the new society free use of the hall. Edna Peach was elected president; Rachel Andressen, V.P.; Isabel Vitale, secretary; and Sue Skrlec, treasurer. Jane Kennedy, Marie Smith & Sally York became trustees. Kennedy, Ruth Mance and Kenneth Masak were appointed to prepare the organization’s by-laws. Charter members included 30 others.

Among the first orders of business was to put the financial status of the organization on a firm basis. Bake sales had been held even before the society’s official organization. The extension group raffled a hand made quilt and donated the $500.00 proceeds to the fledgling historical society. Plans were also made to create a quilt with designs relating strongly to the townships history. A committee was appointed to plan an "Old Timers Day" for August 21-22, 1975 (the first Green Oak Day), as was one to compile a Green Oak Township History Book. These plans generated publicity for the society and encouraged others to participate.

The American Aggregates Company, owners of the former Gov. Kinsley Bingham home on Silver Lake Rd., very willingly provided the use of the basement as a museum for donated early Green Oak items. With a secure site in which to collect and display early artifacts, residents were encouraged to willing donate memorabilia.

A committee chaired by Sue Skrlec prepared an attention getting parade float, a model of the Governor Bingham Mansion. This float was entered in numerous nearby bicentennial parades – receiving top honors in each.

That first Green Oak Day, and several following, was held in the yard and buildings of the Bingham mansion. A flag pole was donated by South Lyon Seamless Tube; the museum, brimming with exhibits, was open; and in the barn as early home display was prepared. George DeAngelis saw to a display of antique autos and a tour of the township was mapped. Approximately 1200 attended to hear speeches, music watch dancers, and other presentations, including an arts and crafts display. The Read mansion on Rushton Road was the site of a beef roast dinner, a display of farm machinery and grain was threshed.

Ed Murawski is credited with compiling and mailing of the first newsletter. Yard sales, bake sales and other fund raisers were held to begin providing funds for the compiling and publishing of the Green Oak history book. Active members recruited others to compile genealogies; information on pre-white inhabitants; early churches and cemeteries; early education, road construction and identification; the changes occurring in agriculture as various mechanics were developed; the railroad and its effects; the delivery of mail; early government, etc. In 1981, Yesteryears of Green Oak 1830-1930 was published and eagerly received. (This book is available from the Society.)

At that same time, via arrangements mad3e by Edna Peach and other society members, the Jarvis Gage Centennial Homestead, now part of Island Lake Recreation Area, was made available to the society by the State of Michigan for use as a museum on an annual basis with a use permit. Many modifications were made and much decoration completed with the result that nine rooms, the upstairs hall, basement and the attic served as display areas. Bedrooms, kitchen/dining areas, early farming and homemaking tool’s exhibits, early ephemera and map rooms were open each weekend to many visitors. Volunteers landscaped and prepared displays in several out-buildings. All exhibits items and all manual labor was donated.

Unused rooms were occupied by a lodger, usually an employee of the Park Service, which helped provide security for the museum.