THE STORY OF GREEN OAK TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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In the summer of 1981, the ribbon cutting ceremony, opening the Gage House Museum on Kensington Road, took place. Hundreds of visitors attended and toured the new museum. To enable the public to enjoy all the displays, inside and out, summer weekend hours were scheduled 1-5 pm. To encourage student participation and the development of an interest in local history, area elementary school children were invited to visit the museum. The dissemination of the knowledge of local history is one of the major missions of the Society.

In May, 1982, early plantings were identified and nature walks were designed at the museum. One of the membership meetings included a tour of another historic home the Peer/Driver house on Rushton Road. (Designated a Historic District in 2006) the observance of Green Oak Day continued also. Held at the Bingham mansion a chicken Bar-B-Q was prepared by the Green Oak Fire Department Association. Artists, crafts and cars were on display. One could also visit the Gage House Museum. Although allowed use of the Gage site by the DNR on an annual basis only, Society members were faithful stewards of the historic site. Landscape care, re-roofing, interior maintenance, well repair, and insurance were all their responsibility. Although some heat was maintained during winter months all water lines were drained each year.

Following the annual spring chore of reading the farm-house and yard in 1983, displays on a new theme were prepared. A Rushton Road early house tour took place with six sites available, the beginnings of an historic resource survey. This event included a roast beef dinner, threshing bee, and an arts and grafts grogram. The annual pot luck was held at the township hall.

in the spring of 1984 a garage sale fund raiser helped with the financial burden. A tour of local historic sites was again a fine success. The Gage House Museum was the site for Green Oak Day with included a pot luck picnic. To properly recognize and commemorate the founder of the Society, "Edna Peach Day" was scheduled, a reception held at the Barnstormer Restaurant with a full house that November 4.

New displays were ready for the annual opening of the Gage Farm Museum, May 1985. A tour of historic Botsford Inn Tavern after lunch began the years’ activities that spring. The Green Oak Day event was held at the Bingham Mansion again. Guests were asked to bring photos, memories and other material related to one room schools, especially their own memories, to compile a history of rural schools in the township. A scrapbook for each is in the archives. Homemade ice cream was served. An unusual township tour was offered in September – three businesses hosted Society members. The organization’s 10^th anniversary was observed with a pot luck dinner at the annual meeting at the township hall. Scrapbooks of past events were enjoyed. At the South Lyon community’s invitation a booth was set up at the Pumpkin Fest at which flea market items were sold. This invitation was accepted for several years.

Green Oak Day, 1986, featured a quilt and sewing memorabilia show and a drawing for a log cabin pattern quilt. Elementary school children were again welcomed to the museum per popular request. Later summer visitors were often the parents of these same school children. The wildlife Green house on Maltby Road was part of the mystery tour organized by the society. Other stops included lunch and a ride on Silver Lake.

1987 was a year of serious activity for the Society. In addition to the regular care of the museum and weekend visits, the Society, following the lead of the Michigan Sesquicentennial Commission, formed a committee with Edna Peach at its head. Included were township board members, a Spanish American War encampment group, Scout leaders, the DNR, Society members, etc. Work began in

January. By June 7, Green Oak township’s Sesquicentennial was celebrated in grand style. Beginning at 7 a.m., the Kent Lake Unit at the Island Lake Recreation Area was the place to be to commemorate the sesquicentennial of Green Oak Township and that of the achievement of statehood for the Michigan Territory as well as the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution. The Livingston County Sheriff’s Mounted Division, local police agencies, veterans’ organizations, antique vehicle groups, music groups, Green Oak Firefighters, North American Indian groups – all had exhibits and displays. A pancake breakfast was prepared. Kiwanis club provided a lunch wagon, or one could bring a picnic lunch. A quilt show was the back-drop for an extensive clothing review (with local models). A teen queen was selected. All in all, a spectacular event.