Mill Race Village

NORTHVILLIANS,

In this week’s letter, I’ll highlight another gateway area which has been established as a living & learning history museum of the community… our beloved Mill Race Village.

Let’s look at another Historic Gateway into our Community …

My parents always instilled in me that to plan for our future, you must first know the past and embrace the present.  And while so many of us have done so, I encourage everyone who comes into town on Griswold, to take a moment and rediscover the Mill Race Historic Village. It is truly a walking history of our community, set in a scenic environment with its topography of the river, pond, hills and greenspace. 
    We’re fortunate to have the Northville Historical Society that provides a very clear lens into a proud history dating back roughly 200 years.  The Village provides a far better history than any book ever could.  The Mill Race Village was established in 1972 when Ford agreed to deed this property to the City.
     Today, the Mill Race contains eight historic local buildings which I remember seeing moved there.
    The Village preserves a slice of what Northville was like before 1900 during its first 100 years.  And notably, we are closing in on our second 100 years and will celebrate our bicentennial in 2027. The Village will certainly be spotlighted then. 
     The Mill Race was once the site of the Northville Grist Mill and then later owned by Henry Ford who strolled this area on his honeymoon. The Village consists of an inn, a blacksmith shop, school, church, gazebo, wooden bridge, general store, an interurban trolley station and several Victorian homes.
     I would invite each & everyone of you to imagine times of yesteryear by walking the village grounds and envision what life was like in the Ville many years ago.

Mill Race Village Milestones
1964      Charter meeting of the Northville Historical Society
1972      New School Church & Hunter House moved to the Village
              Ford donated the property to the City for creation of the Village (11.83 acres)
1975      Yerkes House moved to The Mill Race area
1976      Minuteman Wood Bridge built
1979      Gazebo constructed
1987      Cady Inn moved to the Village
1992      Interurban Trolley station positioned at Mill Race
2010      The General Store is relocated & rebuilt on the grounds

    Again, as we started this letter, I thank everyone for coming together in “Unity” for the benefit of this community, our state and our nation. I appreciate the time & talents shared by all of you on the initiatives associated with the Mill Race Village area, including the River Walk, Ford Field, along with others.
   I encourage you to stay connected to all in the Ville and slow down & take a stroll around the Mill Race Village.  It’s a great way to absorb our history!

Keep that Northville Faith, & let’s move forward … together.

Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
BTurnbull@ci.northville.mi.us / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

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