STERLING HEIGHTS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

OVERVIEW

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Pictured above are (left to right standing): Jennifer Colagiovanni, Lorraine Ostrowski and Laura Szpont and (left to right seated): Wallace H. Doebler, F. James Dunlop (Chairman), Douglas Harvey and Lawrence Archambeau .

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Mission Statement

To foster an understanding and appreciation of local history and to identify and preserve the heritage of our city.

The Historical Commission strives to promote an awareness of the heritage of this community; to identify local preservation concerns; to attend workshops and seminars relating to preservation management; to study public policies designed to protect and preserve local history; to provide opportunities for residents to share and shape their historical legacy.

Through membership in the American Association of State and Local History, the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, and the Historical Society of Michigan, the Commission works to expand its perceptions and knowledge of current practices in the field of local history. It tries to keep abreast of state and federal legislation, as well as to identify sources of funding such as grants and endowments.

The Historical Commission has the responsibility to identify structures and sites of historic significance; to study the value of their preservation, and to make recommendations for future use. The Residential Date Plaque Award Program, established from 1992-1999, has recognized 33 homes of historic value in Sterling Heights as identified by age and architectural significance.

To encourage an appreciation of local history, the Sterling Heights Historical Commission is also responsible for the development of the Sterling Heights Historical Collection in the Upton House. The Commission collects and exhibits items reflecting life and times in our community since its inception as a township in 1835.

The Commission, in partnership with the Friends of the Library produced a book on local history entitled Seven Miles from Home: An Oral History of Sterling Township, a Michigan Farm Community.

The Commission, in partnership with the Sterling Heights Public Library, produced another book on local history entitled Sterling Township 1875-1968 through Arcadia Publishing. This book is available through local bookstores and retail websites.

An oral history collection is also available at the library. The collection consists of 100 resident interviews talking about their early lives in Sterling Heights. The interviews are available on audiocassette and include written transcripts. Individuals interested in using this collection can speak with a librarian at the 2nd floor Reference desk.

As Sterling Heights continues to change, it is important to remember that learning about our history creates a bridge from the past to the present. What is happening here today will be tomorrow's history.

The seven-member Historical Commission acts in an advisory capacity to the City Council. Members serve uncompensated terms of three years. The Commission, established May 1970, meets quarterly on the first Thursday of the month in the Upton House. The Public Library Director is the staff liaison, relating the activities of the Commission to City Administration.

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Key Goals

Upcoming Activities / Events

The Sterling Heights Historical Commission meeting dates for 2010 are listed below.  All meetings are held at the Upton house at 7:00 PM on Thursday as follows.  Meetings are open to the public.

February 4, 2010

May 6, 2010

September 2, 2010

November 4, 2010

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Historical Commission Meeting Agendas & Minutes

For Historical Commission meeting agendas and minutes, click here.

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Sterling Heights Historical Collection

The Sterling Heights Historical Commission solicits and accepts items for the Sterling Historical Collection which depict the growth and change within this municipality since its inception as a township in 1835. Recognizing that today's events will be tomorrow's history, modern items judged to be of permanent value will be considered.

The Commission encourages and will consider items which fall into the following categories, although it will not be limited by these categories:

Items will be collected for preservation and display in special exhibits at the Upton House or the library, or elsewhere if display cases and security are provided.

If you have any of the items listed and would be willing to lend them to the Commission for a display, please contact Tammy Turgeon, Library Director, at 586-446-2640. If you would like to arrange to tour the Upton House, please contact Community Relations at 586-446-2470.

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Wanted: Display Items & Photographs

Are you one of those organized souls who can drag out the family photo album with every picture in chronological order and labeled? Maybe you’re like most of us and just have boxes and boxes of photos waiting to be organized. Either way, the Historical Commission needs some help from you.

The Commission is looking for photos from the late 19th century to early 20th century that show schools in Sterling Township. In particular the Commission is looking for pictures of the following schools: Maple Grove School, located at Utica and Kleino; County Line School, located at 15-Mile and Dequindre; Monfort School, located at 14-Mile and Schoehnerr; Berz School, located at 15-Mile and Mound; Canal Road School located on Canal Road West of Saal; and Fox School, located on Clinton River Road east of Hayes.

The Commission is also seeking photos from the same time period showing what daily life was like in Sterling Township. Pictures of homes, churches, local businesses, and any kind of family gathering or event are all welcome.

Loaned photographs will be copied and returned to you within a few weeks. Identification of when the photo was taken and who and what is in the photo would be appreciated. Commission members may be able to assist you if you’re not sure of dates and places.

A rotating display of photographs is planned for the Upton House. Copies of the photographs will also be placed in the historical archive collection at the library.

If you have any questions, call Commission liaison Tammy Turgeon at 586-446-2640. If you would like to arrange to tour the Upton House, please contact Community Relations at 586-446-2470.

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