The annual Earl E. Borden Historic Preservation Awards were presented this evening at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm. Three awards were given during a special meeting of the Historic Districts Commission of the City of Rochester Hills. Created in 1989, the awards honor the late Earl Borden, former supervisor of Avon Township (now Rochester Hills) and first mayor of Rochester Hills who was also a staunch supporter of historic preservation. In a press release issued Wednesday, the city of Rochester Hills noted that he was “instrumental in obtaining the Van Hoosen farm for uses as…

Before the Detroit Tigers, there were the Rochester Grangers, Mechanics and Independents – "base ball" teams that entertained and excited sports fans in Rochester beginning in the 1860s. In those days, when the term “baseball” was two words (and still is when referring to the vintage game of the 1800s), teams were formed by merchants, clubs, workers and neighborhoods. By the early 1900s, Rochester baseball was dominated by high school teams and the occasional ladies game. In the 1930s, the Brown Bombers, an African-American softball team organized in Detroit by famed boxer Joe Louis, traveled…

The news of Osama bin Laden's death brought crowds of people into the streets late Sunday to gather outside the White House, at ground zero in New York and in homes and pubs throughout the United States — including downtown Rochester — to show their support of a mission almost 10 years in the making. Smartphones and news cameras recorded images of people in crowded streets and even subway cars breaking out in spontaneous renditions of "The Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America.” Some have compared Sunday night’s announcement with those that declared the end of World War I in 1918 (…

Recently, the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm announced plans to convert its 1927 calf barn, a nationally registered historic site, into The Broomfield Center for Leadership. The center will permanently house retired U.S. Rep. William S. Broomfield’s personal papers and artifacts from the Cold War years, as well as provide additional space for exhibits and other local history collections. Not only will the center be a major resource for historical records related to the Cold War, but it will expand the museum’s educational and archival initiatives and create a leadership platform in…

George W. Vandeventer's name may not be familiar to many, but his life and times in Rochester left an indelible mark on the development of the town. Not only was he a successful pioneer merchant and politician in what was then the Village of Rochester, but Vandeventer also held a number of prominent public offices in both Rochester and Avon Township (now Rochester Hills) and is credited with helping to establish Rochester’s fire department. Settling in and setting up shop Born in New York in the 1820s, Vandeventer and his parents traveled to Avon Township from Romulus, New York, in 1834. …

Editor's note: This story was first published March 2011 on Patch. Those familiar with the history of Rochester – even just a little bit – know the names of some of the area’s most prominent women of the past. Sarah Van Hoosen Jones, Bertha Van Hoosen and Matilda Dodge Wilson are among the women whose stories we’ve read or heard about during a tour of the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm or Meadow Brook Hall. They make us proud knowing how instrumental each was in the establishment and growth of our community. In addition to these prominent local women, there are others from …

Susan Gerrits has a green thumb and knows how to use it. As a parent and member of the PTA at McGregor Elementary School in downtown Rochester, Gerrits has spearheaded a growing movement – literally. Thanks to her hard work and dedication, the grounds at McGregor Elementary have been transformed into beds of flowers, bushes and ornamental plants. Surrounding the school are gardens planted with the help of McGregor students, parents and supporters. Gerrits and the McGregor PTA have even established an outdoor classroom, which will be put in use for the first time this spring, and someday, they…

It’s called the loo, can, potty, water closet, john, lavatory and a dozen other names. But did you know a toilet can also be called a historical clue? A toilet can be one of the best resources for determining the age and history of your house. Once you find the clue hidden there, you’re on your way to discovering all sorts of information about the origins of your abode – who built it, who owned it and who used to live in it. More on the toilet clue in a bit. You don’t need chocolates and roses to date your house House history is a mixture of genealogy and archaeology and comprises two parts: …

History is filled with stories of real people who experienced troubles and jubilations, much the way we do today. When we think of the similarities we have with the people of long ago, they don’t seem so different or far away. We share with them feelings of joy, sorrow, celebration, friendship, fun and especially love. The Taylors and the Van Hoosens Lemuel Taylor, his wife, Sarah, and their nine children, including son Elisha, arrived in Michigan in the early 1820s. The Taylors came from upstate New York and traveled west in search of good fortune and a prosperous new life. They bought 160 …

Editor's note: This story was first published in February 2011, two months before Herb Peters passed away. At 95, Herbert Garrett Peters has a lot of stories to tell. A former English teacher and newspaperman, Peters knows how to tell a good tale – particularly when it’s one of his own. Recently, Peters spoke to members of the Rochester-Avon Historical Society about his ancestry, which reads like an encyclopedia of American history. Not only is he descended from a Revolutionary War soldier, but Peters’ lineage also includes an association with one of the most infamous characters in American …

It has been a happy new year for members of the Rochester-Avon Historical Society. Just before Christmas, the National Park Service informed society members that the Rochester Elevator, which stands at the corner of East University and Water streets in downtown Rochester, was listed in the National Register of Historic Places. “The Elevator being placed on the National Register of Historic Places is a great accomplishment,” said Rod Wilson, president of the Rochester-Avon Historical Society. “This building is an icon in downtown Rochester. Over the years it was the hub of activity in the city…

Editor's note: This story originally posted on Rochester Patch on Jan. 4, 2011. Penny Frank Reddish of Rochester has a fascinating story to tell – and it's all true. Her family has deep roots in Rochester, and it played an important role in one of the area's most spectacular events. Reddish describes the fascinating time when Rochester was a magnet for ski jumpers and attracted world-renowned athletes to a small parcel of land called Newberry Hill near John R and Avon roads. On Sundays during the winter months, skiers and fans from across the United States and around the world descended on …

At Christmas time, Rochester reminds me of Bedford Falls – the fictional small town in the 1946 film It's a Wonderful Life starring Jimmy Stewart as hometown hero George Bailey. Both are mill towns with Victorian-era houses and a main street where running into a familiar face is almost guaranteed, and receiving a cheerful "hello" or "Merry Christmas" from a downtown merchant makes the day a bit brighter. That's the way it is in a small community – the hustle and bustle of the season is tempered with a friendly face or two and an abundance of good cheer from friends and neighbors. Over the …

An estimated 100,000 spectators will line the streets of downtown Rochester today  for the 59th annual Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade. Nearly 100,000 more are expected to watch the procession on WXYZ-TV Channel 7. In nearly six decades, the parade has grown in size and prestige to become Michigan's largest Christmas parade. That's a long way from the parade's humble beginnings. The parade debuts Rochester's first Christmas parade took place on Dec. 13, 1952. Sponsored by the Lions Club, the parade was organized to emphasize a "happy Christmas season." Newspaper coverage for the parade, …

I've walked passed it dozens of times--maybe you have, too--never knowing what was there, buried behind the wall. It may be one of the best-kept secrets in town. More than 70 years ago, a time capsule was placed behind the cornerstone of the old post office building at Fourth and Walnut streets. It seems the copper box containing all sorts of historical treasures has been untouched for seven decades. There are no records suggesting it was ever removed or opened. Today, Penny Black, a new restaurant, is open for business in the old post office. In keeping with the history of the site, the …

One recent chilly night, I visited the 1848 Stoney Creek Schoolhouse on Washington Road in Stoney Creek Village. Aglow in the crisp nighttime sky, the school stood tall, seemingly proud.  Perhaps it's because this historic one-room schoolhouse senses good things to come. Recently, Rochester Community Schools donated the Stoney Creek Schoolhouse to the City of Rochester Hills to become part of the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm. To celebrate, the museum hosted "All Things Apple" — a fruit-filled taste fest on October 28 for museum members and friends. Paying homage to the apple as a…

I have a story to tell you. It takes place among rural rolling hills where green grassy knolls rise up to meet trees alive with the fiery colors of fall. It's quiet, almost too quiet. Strolling along winding roads, I hear whispers from behind me and shrieks and squeals from among the bushes. It's the middle of the day and no one is nearby – at least no one living is nearby. Scared? Chills running down your spine? What if I told you I was describing a walk through a picturesque cemetery in the fall? The whispers were born from tranquil breezes; the shrieks and squeals were the merry chirps and…