Victorian Festival

NORTHVILLIANS,

This coming week is a special one, it’s our time to celebrate an honored part of Northville history with the VICTORIAN Heritage Festival. As we approach our 2027 Bicentennial, it’s up to us to learn all we can from our rich history. By 2027, our Victorian “Gateways to the Community” may be even more vibrant, with potentially new, thoughtful development along recaptured riverbanks that will include a connected pathway system. We are on an exciting trajectory, with our downtown becoming a true Victorian destination.

The Victorian era took place around the years 1820 – 1914, corresponding roughly but not exactly to the period of Queen Victoria’s reign (1837–1901). It was characterized by the growing number of people that were given the right to vote and booming industrial growth.

During this time, Northville transformed from one of the first milling areas in the State to a bustling Village with a dynamic downtown bringing folks in via trains, trolleys, and stagecoaches. Northville grew to be the second largest industrial power in the state behind Detroit.

This week the Victorian Festival teams up with our schools to highlight our heritage. Let’s look at some of historic Victorian days in town…

• In 1927, Northville celebrated its first 100 years with a huge Centennial Parade, the largest parade in our state’s history up to that time, which commemorated our Victorian roots. Henry Ford (honorary citizen) assisted.
   
• Through the years, the Victorian Festival has had house tours, performance acts, historic walks, and other learning experiences for the community at our living history area called the Mill Race Village, which has a plethora of Victorian structures on its grounds.
   
• Victorian Weddings have been commonplace at the Mill Race during the Festival (I’ve officiated over 50 so far, complete with Tails & Top Hat).
   
• Northville’s Victorian-era baseball teams (Eclipse) have games in authentic vintage uniforms at our historic Ford Field, along with Victorian-style Cricket games, too.
   
• Additionally, historical Victorian parades, home tours & costume balls have been associated with our yearly activities. Also, duck races & Victorian hat contests have taken place in past years with bagpipers piping. 

I believe knowing our past is crucial to planning our future together. I fully encourage you to learn more about the community’s Victorian history. Stroll through our Mill Race Village or visit the library with its history room to read about our past.  You can also view historic photos at City Hall … let me tour you around and enlighten you about our rich history.

Keep that Northville Victorian 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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