Historic Preservation

Restoration efforts for the City of Dexter’s historic Gordon Hall have become slower than expected due to federal budget cuts affecting historical preservation grants. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has more.

Washtenaw County officials are in the process of possibly classifying Groves Farm in Northfield Township as a local historic district. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

As construction reshapes Ann Arbor, older landmarks give way to new developments, altering the city’s character. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports on what these changes mean for the city’s history.

Bev Willis, Washtenaw County Historical Society administrator, has a passion for history. She grew up in Washington, D.C. in a family deeply ensconced in the Civil Rights Movement. Her family’s role and record of the movement is our nation’s history. In this summer marking the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act becoming law, Bev tells her story when she joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact."

Keeping a community’s past alive for current generations while capturing current history for future generations is the charge of many historical societies. The Webster Township Historical Society has a champion in Thelma Tucker. Meet Thelma when she joined Deb Polich to talk about the history and charm of the Webster Township Village.

Marionettes are considered the finest form of puppetry. A beloved art form, especially among children across the world, marionettes have a special local legacy in Saline. The Bixby Marionette Collection is the subject of a new book, and John Anderson from the City of Saline's Arts and Culture Committee joins Deb Polich to talk about the authors and Meredith Bixby’s legacy on this edition of "creative:impact."

Think about this: how many people get to celebrate their town’s bicentennial in their lifetime? While you contemplate that, plan to join Deb Polich on this edition of "creative:impact." We meet Jeff Crockett, one of the many Ann Arbor community members excited to plan Ann Arbor’s 200th birthday party, so everyone can celebrate.

Historic preservation architect and advocate Ilene Tyler has an answer. The Michigan Historic Preservation Association does too, as it honors Ilene and her Ann Arbor Old Fourth Ward Association colleagues with the 2024 Community Award for historic preservation activities that promote and protect the neighborhood. Ilene joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact."

Milan resident Dave Snyder seems to have found that magic moment when buildings that just seemed old and uninteresting become nostalgic and worthy of restoration and preservation. One by one, he is working to bring buildings along Milan’s main street back to life. Dave tells us how he’s getting it done when he joins Deb Polich on this edition of "creative:impact".

The former home of Robert and Erma Hayden in Ann Arbor is expected to become a single property historic district. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.