Old Timers Luncheon

NORTHVILLIANS,

Over the past few weeks, we’ve touched on actions around The Ville.  We will now transition from Northville local activities to events & gatherings that recognize our esteemed seniors who have made a difference over time. I always believe we must know our history and appreciate where we are today to truly envision our future. We are very fortunate to have an annual Old Timers History gathering where generational citizens share their stories firsthand. For everyone’s benefit, they have continued to keep Northville’s history alive in our minds and our hearts.

As we start thinking about our Heritage/Victorian Festival days next month, we will slow down and highlight our annual Old Timers/History luncheon.

• The Old Timers (History) luncheon has been ongoing for decades and has kept the community connected to our colorful past, its characters and its storytellers.
• The luncheon is an opportunity for friends, acquaintances and newcomers to listen or swap stories about families & activities in town. Those who come include educators, merchants, doctors and citizens who want to know more about our almost 200-year history.
• Names such as Ambler, Yerkes, Atchison, Casterline, Wright, Stevens, Miller, Allen, McGuire (Guernsey), Folino, Lapham, Long, Genitti, Ely, Longridge and many others whom our streets are named after will talk about their family stories over lunch. Brief presentations are conducted at the end of the meal.
• First timers are more than welcome. Believe it or not, the group was originally an all-male gathering. Over time, of course, the group has transitioned to fully inclusive (that means everyone!). So bring your friends for a real history outing. 
• This gathering rekindles old memories and local history when Northville was ranked just behind Detroit in economic activity for Michigan. At one time, trains & trolleys stopped on the hour at our stations, and automobiles & their parts were assembled in the Ville.
• In the upcoming seminars, we will talk about when Northville was home to the largest furniture factory in the country and our foundries were second to none. AND, at that time, our four historic burgs were really the only place to live in town (Historic District, Bealtown, Cabbagetown and Orchard Heights).
• Activity in town included a ski jump platform that launched world record holders into the air. Additionally, folks would come from all over Michigan in the summer to attend the largest fair in the State at Northville Downs, where harness racing was first run under the lights.
• Northville is the town where Henry Ford spent his honeymoon & commissioned the building of Village Industry factories. It was reported he spent some time in our local Ice Cream parlor which is called Rebecca’s today.  

I personally believe we must know our history to plan our future. The Old Timers annual History luncheon is a social activity that reconnects us with our past. Importantly, it also welcomes newcomers to our community… consider attending this or the seminar that night at the library.

Enjoy the rest of your summer and slow down for a moment to catch up on the times gone by in this beloved town we all call home.

Keep that Northville Historic Faith!

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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