Victorian Festival

NORTHVILLIANS,

I wanted to give you plenty of time to get ready for this year’s Victorian Festival weekend which begins Friday 9/20, with students gathering at the Mill Race Historic Village and culminating the night with the Victorian parade at 6:30 PM. The weekend’s activities include Concerts, the American Legion Beer Tent, Dedications, Car shows, vendors, many Festival events and even the excitement of historic horse and buggy rides around the Ville. Link

The upcoming Victorian Festival week is always a special one, especially for all of our third graders who spend a great deal of time learning our 200-year history at the Mill Race.  It’s truly our time to celebrate our storied past.

As we approach our Bicentennial, it’s up to all of us to learn all we can about our rich history. By 2027, our “Gateways to the Community” will be even more vibrant, with new, thoughtful development along recaptured riverbanks. This will include a connected pathway that starts at our renovated Ford Field greenspace along the Rouge River and ends at a new Northville Community Gathering place (Farmers’ Market) across from Custard Time. This gathering area, supported by both the Township and the City, will host activities such as the Farmers’ Market, festivals, county events, car shows, and even staging areas for parades and other events. We are on an exciting trajectory, partnering with the Township as we ready our community to become a true “destination.”

Victorian Era
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 a booming industrial growth period.

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. During our country’s Industrial Revolution, Northville grew to be the second largest economic power in the state behind Detroit.

Historically during the Victorian Festival week our schools highlight our history. Let’s take a look…

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, live performances, historic walks, and other learning experiences for the community around town. Of course, this includes 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 at least 70 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, costume balls, and games have been associated with our yearly activities. Also, duck races and 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 our community’s 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 where I always offer to tour you around and enlighten you about our rich history.

Get ready for a week of Northville History!

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

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