On a late summer afternoon, the Rochester Grangers vintage base ball club convened at Van Hoosen Farm to draw the curtain on another successful campaign. Summoned by their Paleolithic patriarch, Patrick "Barnraiser" McKay, the suspendered stalwarts completed their 25th season with a match against the powerful Canton Cornshuckers. Featuring a lineup that included a murderers' row of mendacious mashers, the visitors posed a credible threat to the bucolic quietude of the exhibition grounds. … [Read more...]
Grangers Silver Anniversary a Hit
July 28, 2023 by Leave a Comment
The sky was blue, the bounces were true and the grass was an emerald hue. Such was the scene at Van Hoosen Farm when the Grangers lately celebrated their 25th season of vintage base ball. To help with the festivities were the Columbus Capitals, who took a group of apprentice Rochester ballists, and taught them the vintage game a quarter century ago. As special guests the Grangers welcomed a number of returning players from that inaugural season. On hand and in uniform were Mike "Cueball" … [Read more...]
Grangers Host Summer Solstice Game
June 27, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Paying homage to the ancient Druids, who built with giant stones what is believed to be an ancient celestial clock, the Rochester Grangers Vintage Base Ball Club staged a twilight game on the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year. On hand was a large compendium of cranks, who were lined up two deep along the base lines to see the Rochesters take on the Lumber City Club of Flint. Throwing out the first ball was long time tally keeper Mary "Applesauce" Howarth, who along with her spouse, … [Read more...]
Annual Antique Appraisal Day April 2
March 7, 2023 by Leave a Comment
Rochester-Avon Historical Society Hosts 29th Annual Antique Appraisal Day at Rochester Hills at Van Hoosen Farm, April 2. Have you ever wondered if that necklace you bought in an antique store is worth more than what you paid for it? Or what the story behind grandpa's coin collection is? If you have antique treasures or family heirlooms that you’ve long wondered about, bring them to the Rochester-Avon Historical Society during their 29th Annual Antique Appraisal Day on Sunday, April 2, from … [Read more...]
Life and Times of Eliza Seaman Leggett
February 16, 2023 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester-Avon Historical Society Presents “Life and Times of Eliza Seaman Leggett” Eliza Seaman Leggett The Rochester-Avon Historical Society (RAHS) will present “Life and Times of Eliza Seaman Leggett” presented by Lori Miller of the Oakland History Center. The program will take place on March 7 at 12:00 noon at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm as a part of RAHS Brown Bag program series. To highlight Women’s History Month, Miller will discuss the life and times … [Read more...]
Stone Wall Pumpkin Festival Returns Saturday October 8
September 19, 2022 by 1 Comment
The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm’s annual signature event, the Stone Wall Pumpkin Festival, is Saturday, October 8. Daytime activities are from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and include food, pumpkin bowling, live entertainment, crafts, Yates Cider Mill cider & donuts, and more. Guests are invited to carve a pumpkin and place it on the stone walls surrounding the Museum property and return in the evening between 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. to see all the pumpkins lit up. Help beat the record of … [Read more...]
Pedal the Past History Bike Tour June 30
June 8, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Bike Riders and History Lovers Unite The Rochester Hills Public Library (RHPL) and the Rochester Hills Museum host a bike ride through Rochester's past and visit historical sites around downtown. Each turn and trail will reveal another chapter of Rochester's story. Attendees may register for one of six time slots between 6:00-7:30 p.m. on June 30. Each slot will accommodate up to 12 riders. Tours are approximately three miles long. Helmets are strongly encouraged. Space is limited. Registration … [Read more...]
Rochester Garden Walk Highlights Local Private Gardens
June 7, 2022 by Leave a Comment
The 22nd annual Rochester Garden Walk will provide an opportunity to spend the day learning about plants and gardens, while being inspired by plantings and landscapes. This event is co-sponsored by the Rochester Garden Club and The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, and it highlights many gardens in the greater Rochester area. This year’s event takes place Thursday, June 16, from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The private gardens on the tour – in and around Rochester – show each owner’s … [Read more...]
Old-Fashioned Christmas
December 7, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Saturday, December 18, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m., at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm. $8 Museum Members-Advance; $10 Non-Members-Advance; $15 Day of. Guests can visit all Museum exhibits, including the All Aboard! Model Railroad display that fills the Calf Barn during the holiday season. Farm wagons transport guests to all Museum buildings for musical entertainment, crafts, snacks, theatre groups, live music, and even chestnuts roasting over an open fire. Register at … [Read more...]
Drop-in for the Holidays at the Rochester Hills Museum
November 28, 2021 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm is open for drop-in hours on select dates this winter from 12 noon - 3:00 p.m., with a Guided Tour of the Van Hoosen Farmhouse at 1:00 p.m. They’ll have the 1840 Van Hoosen Farmhouse beautifully decorated with boughs of holly, old Christmas cards, family gifts, community cookbooks, and a 10-foot Christmas tree in the library. Visitors will find seasonal interactive All Aboard: Model Railroad Exhibit! on display in the Calf Barn. Remaining … [Read more...]
