THE STORY OF GREEN OAK TOWNSHIP HISTORICAL SOCIETY

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BY MARIEANNA BAIR

In January, 1999, it would not be denied that expensive and extensive maintenance was needed at the Gage House Museum. With the Department of Natural Resources offering only an annual use permit the Society Board was hesitant to invest major funds into the Museum’s upkeep. The township board resisted expending township funds, citing other deteriorating historic sites. The DNR, concerned with liability at comparable sites, was removing all similar construction, etc., from their holdings. Society members met with representatives from DNR to promote a long term lease, outright donation of the Gage site or the purchase of a five acre site. None of these were forthcoming. The Gage House Museum would host its last visitors this year. The DNR declared an October 1, 2000, deadline for the Society to vacate.

A major difficulty now confronted the Society: "How and where could the thousands of items in its inventory to be moved"? Preliminary packing began, continuing though the winter and spring. "It would be very unfortunate if all of these things which have been collected to substantiate the history of the township had to be disbursed" ( to other museums) said president, Cleo Moran.

With many volunteers the Museum was prepared to receive visitors as usual in the spring. A complete cleaning of each room and restructuring of exhibits and the Museum was ready. Third grade students from South Lyon Sayre Elementary School enjoyed their annual tour. The Bicentennial quilt, early clothing, toys, typewriters, agricultural equipment, sanitary facilities, cooking, etc. captures the students’ attention. Knowledgeable guides brought early Green Oak life to light. A history program was presented to elementary students in Hornung School in the Brighton District; which was very well received.

To evoke a sense of local history the four wings of the William Brummer Elementary School were named for early Green Oak settlers: Kinsley Bingham, Alonzo Borden, Hooper Washburn and Robert Warden. Biographies of these settlers were prepared on wall plaques and presented at a special ceremony by the Society.

To honor Society Founder Edna Peach, nomination to the Historical Society of Michigan’s Distinguished Service Award was prepared. In Edna’s absence her granddaughter, Heather Havelka Doane, accepted the award.

Windmill historian Mark Nice’s program at the March membership meeting resulted in a overflow crowd at the E. Grand River Firehall. Joyce Terry of Hamburg guided a visit to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Hamburg in May. August 21, was the last time Green Oak Day would be held at the Museum. A picnic, tour of the Museum and the many exhibits were on the schedule. Berry Button, Genealogist, prescribed the procedures one should follow in researching ancestors at the September Membership Meeting. The Annual Meeting, pot luck, was held at the E. Grand River Firehall. J.B’s Brighton House hosted Seventeen members at the Christmas luncheon.