News and Events
News
Annual Membership Meeting to be held November 1
The Annual Membership Meeting will be held at the Ismon House on Saturday, November 1, from 1-3 pm. Author and podcaster Michael Delaware will be presenting the story of "The Rise and Fall of Old Stark" from his book "Victorian Southwest Michigan True Crimes." This important meeting will also feature elections to the board of directors and light refreshments.
Mr. Delaware's story covers the downfall of Leonard Starkweather, owner of the Battle Creek House, a popular stagecoach stop along the territorial road. This true crime story has a connection to Albion as Starkweather was a well-known figure across Calhoun County, and citizens of Albion were selected for the jury trial in this case. Michael will have copies of his books available for sale and will be signing them at this event.
Society and Gardner House Celebrate Milestones during Festival of the Forks
Two big anniversaries will be celebrated at the Gardner House Museum during Festival of the Forks in September. The Gardner House Museum structure will be 150 years old and the Albion Historical Society will mark its 70th year in Albion.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at the Gardner House Museum on Saturday, September 20, at 11:30 a.m. At that time, an upstairs room will be dedicated to the memory of a life-long charter member, William Blomquist. With his encyclopedic knowledge of Albion's history, Mr. Blomquist was a stalwart contributor to the society during his life and left a lasting legacy which will allow the museum to use state-of-the-art archival technology and make other enhancements.
The society is seeking the participation from individuals who are charter members, past board members, or anyone who ever worked on the building of the Gardner House Museum to march with the group at the Festival of the Forks or to come to the ribbon cutting ceremony. Those interested in marching in the parade should contact president Celeste Connamacher at (517) 629-3276.
Augustus P. Gardner completed the building of what is now the Gardner House Museum around 1875. The successful hardware store merchant lived there until his death in 1905. He granted the property to his daughter, Belle Gardner Gale, and after his death, she sold the house to Henry Wochholz in 1909. The City of Albion purchased the house in 1963 and then sold it to the Albion Historical Society in May, 1966. The museum was opened to the public in 1968. In the next year, an award of Merit was given to the society by the American Association for State and Local History. In 1971, Gardner House Museum was included in the National Register of Historic Places. It was renovated in 1988, when roof cresting, track lighting, and fire and security systems were installed.
Rae Corliss, a local writer, first raised the call for a historical society in May 1954. With much support from the mayor and city government, the founding meeting for the Albion Historical Society was held on September 29, 1955, at the Rieger Park shelter house. Vernon Bobbitt, head of the Albion College art department, acted as the chairman for the society, and Pat Geyer served as secretary-treasurer. The first meeting featured Henry D. Brown, director of the Detroit Historical Museum and former Albion resident, as guest speaker.
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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.
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