The Rochester-Avon Historical Society (RAHS) is hosting its 32nd Antique Appraisal Day on Sunday, April 12, from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, MI. Local jeweler, Paul Haig This community event is the society’s largest fundraiser. Experts and professional appraisers will be on hand to provide verbal appraisals on a number of items, including books, vinyl records, cast iron toys, dolls and teddy bears, coins, … [Read more...]
Rochester-Avon Historical Society presents “RAHS Salon: Rochester’s Winters Past” on Thursday, Feb. 5
February 2, 2026 by Leave a Comment
Introducing a new program format from the Rochester-Avon Historical Society (RAHS)! Based on the salons of the past, the new program features a hosted group of people who meet and discuss a theme in a relaxed and casual atmosphere. It’s a night of conversation and sharing with the aim of building community. Crowds gathered along Newberry Hill ski jump, once located at the northwest corner of Bloomer Road and John R Road. The original ski jump was built in 1926 by Henry Hall and was … [Read more...]
Rochester-Avon Historical Society to Host 31st Antique Appraisal Day
March 3, 2025 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester-Avon Historical Society (RAHS) is hosting its 31st Antique Appraisal Day on Sunday, April 6, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, MI. This is RAHS’s biggest annual fundraiser. Several local appraisers will be available to provide appraisals on antiques, including coins, toys, art, jewelry, furniture, musical instruments, and more! Admission to the event is free. Attendees may bring up to five (5) items … [Read more...]
Presenting “Bringing Archives to Life with the Rochester-Avon Historical Society Collection”
February 24, 2025 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester-Avon Historical Society (RAHS) welcomes Samantha Lawrence, archivist for the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, to discuss the society's archival collection on Tuesday, March 4 at noon at Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Rd., Rochester Hills. Explore more than 55 years of the Society's history. Learn how pioneers paved the way for the formation of the Society and other fascinating stories uncovered while processing the organization's … [Read more...]
Rochester-Avon Historical Society Presents: “That Old-Time Religion: Early Faith Communities of Rochester and Avon”
January 30, 2025 by Leave a Comment
Join Rochester-Avon Historical Society (RAHS)and local historian and society member Deborah Larsen for the presentation titled "Early Faith Communities of Rochester and Avon," Thursday, February 6 at 7 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Rd., Rochester Hills. Former St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church, Larsen will host a lively and in-depth discussion of the history of religion and faith within the community of Rochester and its surrounding … [Read more...]
Rochester-Avon Historical Society presents “Rochester Under the Bridge: A Walking Tour,” on August 8
July 23, 2024 by Leave a Comment
Join the Rochester-Avon Historical Society (RAHS) on Thursday, August 8 at 6:30 p.m. for a summer historical walking tour. Thousands of people drive over the South Hill Bridge into downtown Rochester daily, but did you know that almost immediately under the bridge exists remains of the failed 1830s Clinton-Kalamazoo Canal? Or that it was once the site of a paper mill that was burned down in the 1870s by a woman who claimed to be having “crazy spells?” Also, there is documented evidence that a … [Read more...]
Rochester-Avon Historical Society presents “A Walk on Walnut” historical walking tour, on Wednesday, July 10
June 26, 2024 by Leave a Comment
Join the Rochester-Avon Historical Society for a summer walking tour on Wednesday, July 10 at 6:30 p.m. Rochester’s Walnut Boulevard once played host to seven churches within a two-block stretch. Walk with us as we tell the incredible stories of these buildings and the residents who called Walnut home. A Walk on Walnut hosted by the Rochester-Avon Historical Society. Hear of the Methodist Reverend who recruited unemployed workers from the Upper Peninsula’s Copper Country to staff … [Read more...]
Rochester-Avon Historical Society’s 30th Antique Appraisal Day is April 7
March 19, 2024 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester-Avon Historical Society (RAHS) is hosting its 30th Antique Appraisal Day on Sunday, April 7 from 12 noon to 4:00 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, MI. Except for 2020 during the pandemic, RAHS has held this event annually for three decades. This is RAHS’s biggest annual fundraiser and a popular community event. Nine local appraisers will be available to provide appraisals on antiques, including coins, toys, art, … [Read more...]
Rochester-Avon Historical Society presents “SS Eastland: The Titanic of the Great Lakes” on April 4
March 19, 2024 by Leave a Comment
Join the Rochester-Avon Historical Society (RAHS) and local historian Alex Kercher for a fascinating talk titled, “SS Eastland: The Titanic of the Great Lakes,” on Thursday, April 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road, Rochester Hills, MI. Although few have heard of it, anyone who hears the story will never forget it. The SS Eastland was the greatest loss of life in a maritime disaster on the Great Lakes when she flipped onto her side in the … [Read more...]
The Rochester-Avon Historical Society presents “The Vietnam War” with Rochester University Professor John Todd
October 8, 2019 by 2 Comments
Professor John Todd of Rochester University will present "The Vietnam War -- From Start to Finish" on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Public Library Multipurpose Room. Todd served in the Army from 1968 to 1969 in Vietnam as an Army helicopter pilot but was shot down by the North Vietnamese. Following this life-changing event, he graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in Political Science, earned his law degree from Georgetown Law School, and … [Read more...]
