History is an important part of any community. Luckily for this area, the Clarkston Community Historical Society is going great lengths to make sure local history is preserved.
The group is spearheaded by President Jennifer Arkwright, Museum Director Toni Smith and Secretary Kim Huttenlocher.
‘Our mission is to educate people on Clarkston history. It is great to collect it and keep all this stuff but if we don’t get it out there into the community it is not doing us any good or them any good,? Huttenlocher said.
The CCHS was formed in 1972 when the state wanted to widen M-15 so the community worked to make it a historic district.
‘It kind of went on from there. That makes 32 years so we have been in town for a long time,? Smith said. ‘Our main mission statement is to collect, preserve and educate.?
The group does this in numerous ways. They are constantly collecting items that have to do with Clarkston so they do not get destroyed or lost, run a museum inside the Independence Township Library and go to the schools to educate students on the history of Clarkston.
The museum in the library has just been around for approximately three years. The group gave the township money to add a room when the library was first built, but it took sometime to get the museum up and running. However, the group believes the museum has helped the organization grow.
‘It has worked out and that is one of the reasons I feel our programs are doing better,? Smith said. ‘People are responding and everything is growing because everybody who uses the library sees us and if they don’t use the library their kids do.?
The CCHS closes the museum down to change displays twice a year.
‘We are always looking for things to add to the collection. I think sometimes people fear it means we want their great-grandmother’s Tiffany lamp, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that. There is a lot of paper advertising, calendars or photographs that we can copy. We can use old books or anything that has a connection to Clarkston,? Smith said.
The CCHS also offers numerous programs throughout the year to the public. The group recently completed a cemetery walk which had actors playing the roles of important figures from Clarkston’s past. This was the first year the society had done a cemetery walk. They modeled it after a program done in Rochester.
‘I am still hearing positive comments on the cemetery walk,? Huttenlocher said. ‘It really exceeded all our expectations. We are really thrilled that the community is so interested in learning about the past.?
The plan is to have the program again with different members of the communities? history.
Earlier this year, the historical society welcomed a Civil War storyteller to the library. About 60 members of the community listened to the presentation.
‘She told all the stories through the perspective of a boy who was from Michigan. He was the youngest member of the Civil War,? Arkwright said. ‘It was a great program.?
The group also holds numerous member events including a Christmas caroling party.
The main fundraiser for the organization is the Craft and Cider Festival where they have more than 100 arts and crafts individuals showcasing their work. The event is both Saturday and Sunday and includes food and beverage.
‘Crafts and Cider is a good beginning which starts off our year,? Arkwright said. ‘This is the 29th year we will be putting this on. It started in the little parking lot in Rudy’s but now we have grown and hold it over in Depot Park. That money that we earn is our main bulk of money that we use to operate the museum. That is how we pay our bills and pay for the changes in the museum.?
The group has 11 board members and about 160 mailings to regular members which have grown from the 130 mailing of a few years ago.
‘It is more than 160 people because most the mailing are to couples or families,? Smith said. ‘It doesn’t increase by leaps and bounds but it does grow. It is a really good opportunity for people who are interested in the history of Clarkston. It is a great way to support history and help the community promote history. We have a pretty cheap membership, $25 a year for a family, and with that you get our newsletter which is really professionally done
‘A lot of the times the National Honor Society of the Blue and Gold Club come and volunteer and that pull kids into knowing the history. And if they don’t get pulled in it will get lost,? Huttenlocher said
Board meeting take place the fourth Tuesday of each month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Clarkston Heritage Museum located in the Independence Township Library.
‘Clarkston is really all about history,? Arkwright said. ‘We always knew there was a base of people who were really into the history, but it seems that base is growing. It is really exciting to see it.?
In addition to Arkwright, Smith and Huttenlocher the board members include Lydia Strnad, Jonathon Smith, Laura Covintree, Debbie DeVault, Frank Latimer, Jo Macek, Ann Mizusawa and Amy Wilson.
‘Debbie DeVault is our longest board member with this being her 17th year,? Arkwright said. ‘Most of us have been on for at least 10 years now.?
While the historical society will get involved in just about anything having to do with history, they do have one request.
‘This is old news but it is always constantly an issue. People mix us up with the Clarkston Historic District Commission which is a body put together by the city of Clarkston. Their job is to say yes or no if you want to make changes to your home. People get mad at us because they think we are not letting them do stuff to their house. That is not the case,? Arkwright said.