Press Release:
Huron County Historical Society
March 11, 2008.
The Huron County Historical Society
Announces plans for the County’s Sesquicentennial Year
Huron County will be 150 years old in 2009 and the Huron County Historical Society is planning a celebration of this important milestone with a history book and other related events. Huron County was created by the Michigan legislature on January 25, 1859 and has a rich and interesting history both before and after that date. Society president, Diane Ellicott, presented the group’s plans to the county board of commissioners today and indicated the Society would like others interested in the county’s history to join in this project. The committees formed thus far include individuals and county historical groups who have a special interest in Huron County history and bring a considerable background in Huron County’s historic past. You do not need to be a member to participate.
A planning committee for the celebration was formed last fall with Bay Port Historical Society President, Jane Himmel, as its chairman. This committee has begun several projects to raise the funds necessary for publishing a history book. Included is a unique puzzle featuring an old map of Huron County from the 1800’s with historic photos serving to mark important locations. This map may also be available as a poster. The committee will also be looking for other fund raising projects and sponsors - corporate as well as individual - for the book.
The book committee is co-chaired by Society Secretary, David A. McDonald, and local historian, Gerry Prich, both of Bad Axe. They have completed a draft outline for the book and will soon begin making writing assignments and adding new topics to the outline as necessary. This will involve the historical collections and resources of the member groups as well as others in the community who have historical information and are willing to participate in the undertaking. Anyone who can participate in this manner is encouraged to contact the Society at huroncountyhistoricalsociety@yahoo.com or by phone at 989-269-7674 (McDonald).
The Huron County Historical Society is an association of over 250 members in eleven local village or city historical societies in Huron County as well as the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse Society. The Society was formed in 1968 to provide a means for communication between the member historical groups and as a venue for larger, county wide projects like this one. Its purpose is to preserve, record and publish the history of Huron County and to coordinate such activities through its member chapters. It is a Michigan nonprofit corporation with 501c3 tax exempt status and has a website at www.thehchs.org. The Society played a prominent role in the 200th birthday of our nation in 1976 and, most recently, wrote and published the pictorial history entitled, “Images of America, Huron County, Michigan.” Each of the member historical societies has this book available for purchase as a fund raising project for the county society as well as each member group.
The Sesquicentennial committee is looking for individuals to assist with the fund raising and events committees, as well as with historical information or images for the book. If you would like to contribute and be a part of the sesquicentennial committee please contact Sesquicentennial Chairman Jane Himmel at 989-712-0050 or jlhimmel@comcast.net or Diane Ellicott at 989-712-0050 or dellicot@avci.net .