THE STORY OF GREEN OAK TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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BY MARIEANNA BAIR

The February, 1996 "Green Oak Historian" included President Cleo Moran’s request for volunteers to prepare for the annual opening of the Gage House Museum. School children from the South Lyon district third grades were scheduled. Each day would require 5-6 docents for various sites in the house and on the grounds. The history of Island Lake and its relationship to the Spanish/American war of 1898, was the subject of special exhibits. (Michigan National Guard had training grounds at Island Lake.) Over 250 visitors were recorded by the time the museum closed in the fall. Yard chairman, Gerry Macks, kept flowers blooming and, with Gordon Bunn, the herb garden flourishing. The security person living at the museum took care of some sewer problems and was helpful in many ways. Tote bags, as a fund raiser were ordered. Hildreth Bakhaus brought the Governors of Michigan articles in the newsletter to a conclusion. The columns on local cemeteries included St Joseph, Lakeview and Free Will Baptist cemeteries. Certificates of appreciation were given to Girl Cadet Troop #727 for clearing the Hayes Cemetery. In March Susan Sridharan, who worked on a book of a Civil War veteran ancestor, presented a program titled "War Drums Roll" about the men of Green Oak who were in the 22nd Infantry. This and other meetings were held at the fire station on Whitmore Lake Road. A May tour to the Ypsilanti Historical Museum was helpful in providing inspiration. The annual Green Oak Day, a picnic under the giant box elders in the museum yard, brought old neighbors and new together. A floral tribute was placed at the Gage gravesite in Kensington Cemetery. Visitors to the Cobblestone Farm in Ann Arbor learned about a bee hive oven and the varied arrangements of cobblestones, among many other exhibits in September. Ruth Munzel described the value of Historical Districts. She represented the Historic District Commission at the Annual Meeting in October.

In 1997 Cleo Moran continued her service as president. All general meetings were held at the Whitmore Lake Road Fire Station. In March Jan Plas served as moderator for a panel of early residents ( Hildreth Bakhaus, John Field, and Robert Fitzgerald) who recalled their memories of "Green Oak in Earlier Times." The program in May was a tour of the Michigan History Center in Lansing. Those attending the Green Oak Day picnic at the Gage House Museum could tour the building. Many enjoyed reviewing the completed notebooks of Green Oak’s eight one room schools. Included were materials related to Jarvis Gage during his service on the school board. In September the Society toured the restored Livingston County Courthouse. The pot luck Annual Meeting in October included election of board members. The Hamburg VFW presented the Society with a US flag. For a Christmas luncheon the board met at Country Cuisine. In February through April weekly work days prepared the museum for South Lyon school district third grades and summer visitors. A core group of 14 served as hosts at the museum on weekends all summer. Gerry Macks and young girl scouts spent hours on getting the yard in shape. Spring wildflowers, bloodroot, snow drops, winter aconite, etc. made it enjoyable. The South Lyon Cub Scout Pack # 236 helped with landscaping that spring. The Society shared a table with the Brighton Area Historical Society at the Brighton Farmers Market. An all day session of filing more reference materials was held in September, by the board for observance of the 1998 centennial anniversary of the Spanish/American War. Brighton Area Historical Society, the Great Lakes Living History Society, the Historical Society of Michigan and the Island Lake Recreation Area worked together toward an appropriate commemoration.