By Mike Stechschulte
Special to The Leader
For 35 years, the Northeast Oakland Historical Museum has housed thousands of artifacts celebrating the storied history of the area.
Over those years, the museum has become somewhat of an artifact itself.
Sitting prominently on the corner of Burdick St. and Washington St., it has become a landmark to the citizens and visitors of Oxford’an important piece of history encompassing even more history within its walls for antique-collectors, researchers and anyone else to enjoy.
‘I love antiques, and I love the reference materials of the museum,? said President and Curator Jerry Griffin. ‘I’m just a fan of relics, I guess you could say.?
But for Griffin, antiques are more than just a hobby. The Oxford resident has been involved with the museum for over a decade, and is constantly looking for ways to improve the collection.
From its unique picture display featuring old photographs of Oxford, Lake Orion, Addison, Lakeville, Leonard and Thomas, to its Civil War exhibit, the museum has tons to interest both the old and the young alike.
‘We’ve revamped our picture displays. If we get new pictures of each one, we’ll change the pictures as we go along so that we don’t have the same ones up forever,? said Griffen. ‘We try to keep it interesting for our visitors, and we like to gear it for children that have an interest in this too.?
The former Oxford Saving Bank (now Oxford Bank) bought the building in 1922, and after it left for a new location in 1966, the building was deeded over to Oxford Village with the intent it be used as a historical museum.
With the help of former bank president, Bob Dick, the building was rented to the museum for the cost of $1 per year. The museum opened its doors in 1972, and is now celebrating its 35th anniversary.
‘We were unaware that it (the anniversary) was coming up,? said Griffin. ‘We just realized it two weeks ago, or otherwise we’d be doing a lot more.?
Some of the museum’s exhibits have included an antique hat collection, a Lone Ranger exhibit, antique gardening equipment and old kitchen and parlor displays. It also houses a mini-library including numerous pictures and clippings of family histories, atlases and buildings from Oakland County.
There are also many artifacts pertaining to the history of the Oxford School District, including the original manuscript of the ‘Blue and Gold Fight Song.?
The museum, a popular field trip destination, offers tours in the spring for students of all ages.
Run entirely by donations, the museum counts on the generosity of local residents to remain open. While monetary donations are certainly accepted, the museum is always looking for more historical items.
More than 2,000 objects are currently on display, and all were donated at one time and now either belong to the museum or are currently on loan, according to Griffin.
‘We’ve gathered up artifacts over the years and we never refuse anything,? he explained.The museum is open year-round on Saturdays from 1- 4 p.m., and also on Wednesdays from 1-4 p.m. during the summer months.
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Volunteers at the Northeast Historical Museum ran across several advertising cards that read: ‘Compliments of Oxford Bee Hive-L.W. Sutherland, Prop., Oxford, MI?
They aren’t sure of what the business entailed and where it was. If anyone in the community recalls this business, please contact the museum at (248) 628-8413.