News and Events

News

The 2023 Season is Over

We have enjoyed many visitors from near and far this past season, but our normal weekend hours are now over.  Even though the season is over, we still welcome visitors who want to come in!  If you wish to come see the Gardner House, please call the museum at 517-629-5100 and leave a message.  Speaking clearly, leave your name, a phone number, and when you would like to come.  We will call you back and have someone ready to give you a tour.  We are normally open from Mother's Day until the final weekend of September.

Annual Membership Meeting Will Take Place October 21

Join us at 5 p.m. on Saturday, October 21, at the Gardner House Museum for the annual membership meeting.  Al Smith will start the meeting off with a talk about Corporal Patrick Leo Hanlon, the first soldier from Albion killed in World War I and the man in whose honor the American Legion post is named.  The talk will be followed by a lovely dinner with time to "eat and greet."  Elections for new board members will take place at 6:15 during the business portion of the meeting.  We will conclude the meeting with dessert and door prizes.  Only current members are eligible to attend this meeting.  However, Jim Seidl will be at the door ready to enroll those wishing to become members.

Candidates running are:  Kristy Clement, Stacy Frost, Jessica Kane, Emily Parks, and Andrew Zblewski.

 

2023 Tour of Riverside Cemetery to be held Oct. 8

The Catholic Church in Albion celebrated its 150th year anniversary on September 25, 2023.  We will bookend this event by covering the Catholic Section of Riverside Cemetery in our tours in 2023 and 2024.  Part I will be held Sunday, October 8, beginning at 1:00 p.m.  Our list of graves to be visited includes:  Lester Blaisdell, James Bommarito Sr., the Berkheimer and Cascarelli families, Carmine de Nicola family, James Dennison, the Gianformaggio children, Patrick Leo Hanlon, Cieslawa Kaus, John and Mary Kita, Kniburys family, John Mymochod, Solomon "Mike" Raftery, Thomas Slowey family, Juan Garcia Solis, William Mahiola Sparks, Thayron Stephenson, and Charles Zenoniani.  We will also talk about Rev. Fr. Peter A. Baart and the history of the Catholic Section of the cemetery.  This event is free and open to the public.  Dress for the weather.

Add Your Photo to Our New Exhibit

"People, Places, and Events of Albion" is a new exhibit currently being built at the Gardner House Museum for 2023-2024.  We still need photos from the public --taken before 1980 -- which show ordinary life...loosing a tooth, Grandma and Grandpa on the porch, a parade, your house, a farm...as long as it ties in with Albion.  Those wishing to share a photograph may email a scanned photograph or send a copy by post.  For original photos, the society will copy and immediately return any which are offered for the exhibit.

In addition to this new exhibit, a second exhibit highlighting "Albion's Barber and Beauty Shops" is also being developed.  Related artifacts and photographs would be greatly appreciated for this exhibit (think someone's first hair cut or a shot of the shop).  For more information about contributing to either of these exhibits, contact Celeste at (517) 629-3276 or Al at (248) 917-6527.


Upcoming Events

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas....

Yes, it's on January 6 and that is so far away, BUT we like to remind people that celebrating Twelfth Night has been a tradition at the Gardner House Museum for 55 years!  If you can't get enough of decorating for Christmas, give us a call.  We will decorate the Gardner House in December, and we'd love your help!  Then after the craziness of Christmas is over, come see us on January 6 for some wassail, cookies and nibblies, some caroling, and just a chance to soak up the spirit of the season.

How to Contact Us While We Are Building Our New Web Site...

The Albion Historical Society is currently building a new website.  The current one has been around for ten years already, which means it is from the dark ages.  In fact, due to its age, the "Contact Us" link had to be removed.  In the interim, please know that you may still reach us at info(insert the "at" sign)albionhistoricalsociety.org.  We hope to have the new site in operation by late spring.

We're on Facebook

Visit us at www.facebook.com/albionhistoricalsociety.  Visit our page for updates on events being held at the museum, special features, recent artifact donations, and much more.