Rochester Historical Commission Founder’s Day Celebration 2019

The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm Hosts The Rochester Historical Commission for Founder’s Day Celebration The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm is pleased to host the Rochester Historical Commission for our community’s recognition of Founder’s Day that celebrates the arrival of the James Graham family in the Rochester area, on March 17, 1817, founding the first permanent settlement in Oakland County. Enjoy a presentation by John Cohassey and his presentation of The … [Read more...]

Rochester and the Detroit United Railway

New Book Will Tell Rochester’s DUR History Robert Michalka knows about railroads and local history. The lifelong Rochester area resident is combining his two interests in a forthcoming book entitled Rochester and the Detroit United Railway, scheduled for publication by the Rochester Historical Commission later in 2018. Michalka grew up working on Rochester’s Main Street, where his father, Al Michalka, ran a feed store from 1927 until 1982. The younger Michalka started out at the age of 10 … [Read more...]

Rochester Hills Museum Community Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Founder’s Day Celebration

Rochester Hills Museum to Host Annual Founder’s Day Event March 11 The Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm will be inducting three new members into the Community Hall of Fame at the Founder’s Day Celebration on Sunday, March 11 at 2:00 p.m. The annual Founder’s Day program, sponsored by the Rochester Historical Commission, recognizes the founding of Rochester on March 17, 1817 by James Graham. This year’s event features renowned ragtime pianist, Bob Milne. Bob grew up in Rochester … [Read more...]

Gail Kemler Celebrates a Century

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...]

Founders Day Kicks Off the Bicentennial Year for City of Rochester with VIDEO

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

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...]

Rochester time-travels through artifacts found in downtown makeover

Now that the construction has wrapped up, findings from the latest Main Street makeover are on display at the Rochester Hills Public Library—taking residents and visitors on a journey through history. “They were thinking they were going to find all kinds of things,” June Hopaluk, of the Rochester Historical Commission said, “they didn’t find a lot.” But below layers of concrete and early 1900 bricks, several wells, gas tanks and coal bins were unearthed during last year’s project. And … [Read more...]

Trace the history of your house

Ever wonder about the history of your home, when it was built, who else has lived there? Local historian and librarian Deborah Larsen will present a two-hour workshop on Tuesday, July 10 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Public Library to guide local residents on how to discover more about the history of their home. Sponsored by the Rochester Historical Commission, the session is free but does require reservation. “Rochester area has a rich history and many of the homes are equally as … [Read more...]