Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm in collaboration with the Rochester-Avon Historical Society Hear the inspiring stories of outstanding women from Rochester, presented by Samantha Lawrence, Archivist at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm. The Rochester Hills Museum is located at 1005 Van Hoosen Road, off Tienken Road between Rochester and Dequindre Roads. Brown Bag Lunch - Tuesday, March 3 - Admission is free. You bring your lunch and the Historical Society provides … [Read more...]
Rochester “Hangouts” Historical Walking Tour this Sunday
June 21, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Rochester-Avon Historical Society Offers “Hangouts” Historical Walking Tour Rochester-Avon Historical Society (RAHS) is pleased to introduce a brand-new historical walking tour of Downtown Rochester on Sunday, June 23, at 3:00 p.m. This new tour is all about the local hangouts and entertainment spaces that are a part of our community's past. Where was the action in downtown Rochester in days gone by? Where did the kids go to hang out with friends? This tour will take you back to some of the … [Read more...]
If These Waters Could Talk: Maritime Archaeology in the St. Clair Flats
September 29, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester-Avon Historical Society presents “If These Waters Could Talk: Maritime Archaeology in the St. Clair Flats” with Daniel Harrison Maritime archaeologist Daniel Harrison will present the history of the delta of the St. Clair River, also known as “The Flats” during the Rochester-Avon Historical Society’s general meeting on Thursday October 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the Rochester Hills Public Library, 500 Olde Towne Rd. Vessels of every kind – from canoes to schooners … [Read more...]
Historic Michigan Kit Houses by Mail
January 8, 2018 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester-Avon Historical Society presents “Kit Houses by Mail” Melodie Nichols, Curator of the Clawson Historical Museum From 1906 through the 1980s it was possible to purchase an entire house through the mail. There are many of these kit homes in downtown Rochester and in surrounding communities. Join fellow local history enthusiasts at the Rochester-Avon Historical Society’s monthly meeting on Thursday, February 1 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Public Library, 500 Olde Town Road, … [Read more...]
Christmas 1942 in Rochester, Remembering the Fight and Loss of the War
December 19, 2017 by 1 Comment
Virginia MacLeod and Christmas 1942 in Rochester Seventy-five years ago, Rochester’s Christmas season was a memorable one – for a tragic reason. The end of the first year of the Second World War brought with it rationing restrictions, worries about absent loved ones, and the shock of a wartime-related death that happened not overseas, but right here at home. There were no big, bright holiday lights on Rochester’s Main Street in December 1942. The news from the fighting fronts was … [Read more...]
Gail Kemler Celebrates a Century
October 10, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Rochester is marking the 200th anniversary of its founding this year, and local resident Gail Kemler has witnessed almost half of the town’s two centuries of history. Kemler, of Rochester Hills, is planning to celebrate her 100th birthday at the end of this month, in the company of scores of family and friends. Gail Johnson Kemler was born October 28, 1917 in Brookfield, Illinois, where her father worked on a railroad line. When Kemler was four years old, her mother became seriously ill and … [Read more...]
Forgotten Tales of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula
October 2, 2017 by Leave a Comment
The Rochester-Avon Historical Society presents “Forgotten Tales of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula” with author Alan Naldrett The Rochester-Avon Historical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Thursday, October 5 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Public Library, 500 Olde Town Road. This event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. Author, historian and humorist, Alan Naldrett, will discuss some of Michigan’s most interesting yarns and characters. Discover the ghostly … [Read more...]
Founders Day Kicks Off the Bicentennial Year for City of Rochester with VIDEO
March 16, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Founders Day, an annual event, was extra special this year. A larger-than-normal crowd gathered at the Rochester Hills Museum, not only to recognize six new "founders," but also to kick off the start to the City of Rochester's 200th year celebration. Founded on March 17, 1817 by James Graham, Rochester has grown, keeping up with the times, yet holding on to its past. "Small town feel" is alive and well in Rochester. This year's event was held in the 1927 Calf Barn of the Rochester Hills … [Read more...]
Six New Members to be Inducted into the Community Hall of Fame for Founder’s Day Celebration
February 28, 2017 by Leave a Comment
Rochester Hills Museum to Induct Six New Members into the Community Hall of Fame The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm will be inducting six new members into the Community Hall of Fame at the Founder’s Day Celebration on Sunday, March 12 at 2:00 p.m. The Founder’s Day program is sponsored annually by the Rochester Historical Commission to recognize the founding of Rochester on March 17, 1817 by James Graham. This year’s event features PBS personality Tom Daldin and his wife, Rochester … [Read more...]
Growing Up in Rochester with Bob Milne
February 26, 2017 by Leave a Comment
“Growing Up in Rochester with Bob Milne” to be feature presentation at the Rochester-Avon Historical Society’s Brown Bag Meeting on March 7 The Rochester-Avon Historical Society will present “Growing Up in Rochester” with Ragtime pianist Bob Milne at its Brown Bag lunchtime meeting at the Rochester Community House, 816 Ludlow Avenue, on Tuesday, March 7 from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. Milne, considered by many to be the best ragtime/boogie-woogie pianist in the world, will discuss growing up … [Read more...]
