By David Fleet
Editor
Goodrich — During the summer of 2024 work will begin to determine the future preservation of a historical Goodrich building.
A series of grants will be available later next year to begin work on the Ladies Library Museum, 10219 Hegel Road to stabilize the aging structure. In January 2021, the Village of Goodrich approved $10,000 and Atlas Township added $50,000 at the same time from Community Development Block Grant funds for the project.
The CDBG program provides annual grants on a formula basis to states, cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low-and moderate-income persons. Virtual public meetings regarding the use of the funds were opened at both the village and Atlas Township.
Then earlier this month the Goodrich Village Council approved two resolutions regarding $13,643 in CBDG funds for the 2025-2027 program years. By a 3-2 vote the council allocated $8,643 for the continued preservation of the Ladies Library Museum. The $5,000 balance of the funds went to the Davison Senior Center for exercise and nutrition programs, ride shares and meals.
“We have some grant money that will take effect in August,” said Dawn Bastian, Goodrich/Atlas Historical Society, who attended the December village meeting. “But I’m not sure if it’s going to cover all the building expenses that might be incurred.”
Funding for the doors along with wood on the outside building may still be needed, she said.
“The building is 120 years old and well worth being preserved,” she said. “We don’t have many historical buildings left in the community. We need it for our community.”
Carol Powers, a long time member of the Goodrich/Atlas Historical Society has studied the history of the building.
“’Good Books are the best of friends’” was the thought that prompted the pioneer women to organize the Goodrich Ladies Association in 1877 and it is probably the oldest association of its kind in Michigan,” said Powers.
In 1883, the association purchased two lots with an old house on it in the village. In 1902, a fire destroyed the west wing of the house, but the books were all safely removed and preserved. Then in 1903, part of the land was sold and money was used to restore their building, and remembering their near loss by fire, a steel roof on the house was added in 1922. Years later the library books and materials were moved down the street to the brick clad Lyceum Building, 10237 Hegel Road which had served as the Atlas Township hall. An open house for the library was held in 1980 and it remains open today. The village and township operations have since moved.
The old library building sat empty for about 10 years and the Goodrich/Atlas Historical Society was established in June of 1991 with the purpose of saving the structure. Over the years fundraisers have been conducted to save the old building but more work is needed due to the age of the building. The museum building, was opened to the public in 1998 and has provided a facility to keep the community history with a variety of documents, artifacts and historical photos.
“The stabilizing of the museum will be the starting point,” said Shirley Kautman-Jones, Atlas Township supervisor. “This must be done through a federal bid process. It’s a pretty big process moving forward.”