2009 Summer - Volume 26 No.3 - Grosse Pointe Historical Society

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From the Director Maureen Devine Executive Director This has been a busy spring and summer. The annual gala fundraiser, A De-Lovely Night in Grosse Pointe, was sold out once again! Four hundred people attended the event at the Simon home and everyone enjoyed good music, food and company. Although it did rain a little later in the evening, it did not dampen the spirits of guests. Thank you all for your support and for helping make the evening special and full of fun. Also, thank you Simon family for making this beautiful home available to the GPHS – it is filled with so many fond memories for the community. I would also like to enthusiastically thank all of the sponsors and donors who helped make this event possible during these difficult times. In an effort to make history fun and accessible, Izzy Donnelly has been working diligently on outreach to the schools with Debbie Graffius. She has organized a fun-filled summer camp, Ribbon Farm Days 2009, for children ages 6 through 9. We hope to expand these offerings in the coming year. During yearend field trips this past May and June, several local elementary school teachers suggested visiting the Provencal-Weir House multiple times during the upcoming school year. Their hope is to break up the grade-appropriate, state approved curriculum into smaller segments to allow them to focus on specific topics for each visit to parallel their study plans. We thought this was a great idea and we hope to keep the One-Room School buzzing with activities from September through August. Please call GPHS with any questions or to make reservations. Lastly, I would like to share what is happening in the GPHS gift shop, located in the Provencal-Weir House. Although the space is tiny, we have been filling it with interesting new merchandise ranging from specialty foods, books, stationary, hand-crafted items and artwork, as well as Victorian style toys and games. Our plan is to expand our hours and to make the shop available on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons, as well as by appointment. With respect to the history of our French ribbon farmhouse, we will be selling old-fashioned French jams (apple/ pear/walnut, rhubarb and others), black currant and herbes de Provence vinegars, locally produced honeys, and rustic grain mustards. I like to think these are the types of items that Pierre and Euphemia Provencal would have made and enjoyed themselves while living in the house. Please watch for the announcement of our expanded hours and grand opening in early September. All Society members will receive an e-blast with more information. News from the Alfred B. and Ruth S. Moran Resource Center The Grosse Pointe Historical Society is growing – as of January, 2009 we have increased our membership from 763 to 800 active members. We appreciate the many monetary and in-kind donations that arrive at our door to assist in maintaining the Alfred B. and Ruth S. Moran Resource Center, as well as the Provencal-Weir House. Thank you to the recent donors to the 2008 Annual Appeal: Ms. Kay Agney Mr. and Mrs. Denis Bouchard Mr. and Mrs. J. Michael Getz Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Hartz Mr. and Mrs. Michael J. Kurap Mr. and Mrs. Robert H. Lees Mr. and Mrs. Jerome Rock Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Shafer Mr. Robert G. Tighe Donations: City of Grosse Pointe, dedicated to the GP City Survey Project. Alice Kales Hartwick Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Alfred R. Glancy III McGregor Fund We have also received the following in-kind donations: Mrs. Mary Bissa ................Full set of Heritage Magazines Mr. Lawrence Garska.........Picture of the 1940 Police Department of the Village of Grosse Pointe Park and the commemorative plaque presented to Mr. Garska Mrs. Susan Hartz...............Book “Picturesque Detroit” Ms. Ursula Kroppa.............Burton Abstract and tax bills dating back to 1930 to 1940 Copy of testament of Mr. Gottfried Stoeber 2
New Online Exhibition Art and Orchids: The Whitcomb Estate We would like to announce our most recent online exhibition Art & Orchids: The Whitcomb Estate, which was generously funded by the Wilkinson Foundation. The exhibition features the legacy of philanthropy bestowed upon the city of Detroit by Anna and Edgar Whitcomb and the beauty of their gracious, historic residence, once part of T.P. Hall’s lake front estate known as Tonnancour. The Whitcombs shared a love of fine art and flowers. They filled their home with distinguished Old Master paintings and five greenhouses with exotic flora, especially their treasured collection of rare orchids. Eventually a large group of paintings and sculpture were gifted to the Detroit Izzy Donnelly In March I was pleased to be hired as the Director of Education at the Grosse Pointe Historical Society. One of my first duties was to learn the history of the Provencal-Weir House and the GPHS organization, as well as prepare to play the role of the School Mistress in the One-room Schoolhouse, a functioning classroom located on the second floor. When I first viewed the classroom I was charmed by its warmth and impressed by the historical accuracy of the space. It’s an enchanting room filled with benches, McGuffy Readers, chalk boards and maps on the walls – even a lone “dunce cap” set in the corner (never used, by the way). After allowing for time to review the materials my first month and to learn the various curriculum for 2nd through 5th grades, the reservations for local school groups started rolling in. In May and June, 175 eager 2nd grade students from Mason, Ferry and Kerby visited for their year-end field trip. What struck me most was the children’s reaction to the house, which ranged from excitement to awe. Teachers, parents and children donned pioneer costumes with squeals of delight and were instantly transported back in time. We toured the Provencal-Weir House, had lunch on the lawn and played outdoor games. After lunch, real school work began. In tandem with the State of Michigan “Know your Local History” curriculum, students performed the play “Did You Ever Hear a House Talk?” This history-based program has been approved by the State of Michigan to compliment the studies for various age groups at local schools. Also, having been a music specialist for years, I decided we needed to introduce music to the program. I moved my 19th century Dulcitone, a keyboard instrument once owned by my Aunt Mary Grace, to the classroom. Following our lessons, the students and I sang songs of pioneer days which included “Oh Susannah”, “Polly Wolly Doodle” and I’ve Been Workin’ on the Railroad.” It was wonderful to fill the house with music and singing children! One of the final projects for the day was a fun-filled treasure hunt and a tour of the small log cabin in the back yard. This was a huge highlight for the students! As the day closed, we returned our costumes to the closets and were immediately transported to our modern lives filled with cell phones, iPods and computers. With the house full of laughing children, I couldn’t help but think how happy Pierre and Euphemia Provencal would have been to see joyful children in their home once again. In 2009/2010 we hope to accommodate a wider range of students, the curriculum will focus on various topics to accommodate the “Know Your Local History” program for all elementary school age groups – 2nd through 5th grades. The Society would love to schedule educational field trips throughout the school year and to act as a support to local schools. We hope to see you next year! Students learn the old-fashioned way in the One-Room School House. continued on page 6 Educator’s Observations Second grade students prepare to read “Have You Ever Heard a House Talk” Izzy Donnelly Director of Education Grosse Pointe Historical Society 3
Page 1: the Moorings Grosse Pointe Historic
Page 5 and 6: 1928 Packard on lawn at 211 Vendome
Page 7 and 8: Grants for GPHS We are very pleased

2009 Summer - Volume 26 No.3 - Grosse Pointe Historical Society

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