SPECIAL EVENT: "A WALK IN THE PARK" OPEN HOUSE--Invitation to the Public to Learn More about Planned Projects and Share Feedback on Sunday, September 9, 1:30-3:30, Museum Grounds

The public is invited to join the Birmingham Museum Board for this special opportunity to learn more about the planned landscape projects for the museum's four acres of parkland.
The 2018 Master Landscape Plan details the unique historic and natural features of the site and its wide diversity of ecosystems, divided into four distinct landscape zones. A station will be set up at each zone to highlight its special characteristics, preservation needs, and conceptual plans for enhanced public access and experience.  Museum Board members are eager to share ideas with the public about the site and get feedback on planned projects.

Historic landscape architect Brian Devlin of Nagy Devlin Land Designs will be on hand to talk with visitors about the special qualities of our landscape and how the Master Landscape plan seeks to address the need to protect the landscape while making it more publicly accessible through low impact pathways, enhanced views and seating, appropriate historic plantings, and in particular, the preservation and interpretation of the unique spring-fed swimming pool built by the Allens and used by their son Jim as physical therapy for his polio.  


ANNUAL HISTORIC GREENWOOD CEMETERY TOUR: Autumn Greenwood Cemetery Tour will Celebrate Bicentennial with Birmingham’s Pioneers of 200 Years Ago

Birmingham’s Greenwood cemetery is among the oldest public cemeteries in Michigan and beloved for its grace and the beauty of its grounds. It also is the final resting place of many of the earliest settlers of the area as well as those who helped build the pioneer settlement into a thriving and prosperous community.

Among those featured on the fall tour are early settlers and family of Elijah Willits, John West Hunter, and John Hamilton; itinerant doctor, inventor, and founder of Oakland County Medical Society Ebenezer Raynale, prominent early settler Ziba Swan who donated the land for the cemetery after the horrific murders of Polly and Cynthia Ann Utter; Hugh Irving, who fought in the civil war and father William, who raised funds to help build the civil war memorial now in Shain Park; Henry Randall, civil war veteran who lived in the Hunter House and moved it the first time in 1893; and educator, women’s rights advocate, and firebrand Martha Baldwin, who left her unmistakable stamp on the town in the late 19^th century. The stories of many other fascinating people interred at Greenwood will be presented by docents in costume at this popular annual event. 

Tickets for the cemetery tour are $10 per person, $20 per family and available for purchase before the tour at the east gate on Oak Street; please note there is no parking in the cemetery.


PROGRAM SERIES OFFERINGS 

Looking Back at Birmingham Adult Lecture Series, Tuesday Evenings at 7:00 PM at the Baldwin Public Library

To  celebrate Birmingham's bicentennial, the museum and library are co-sponsoring another historic lecture series featuring local history, entitled, "Disaster and Recovery in Birmingham's History." Birmingham is the second oldest settlement in Oakland County and has seen its share of ups and downs. Not surprisingly, even when community-wide disasters have struck its residents, they have shown a resiliency that has reinforced Birmingham's strength and sped its recovery. This lecture series will explore some significant negative events in Birmingham's last 200 years and how the community came back.  

 

Thursday, September 13, 6:30 PM at the Birmingham Museum (Hunter House)

Apples and Pumpkins 
What could be more delicious and exciting at this time of year than getting ready for the change of the season? This storytime will focus on the wonders of autumn and the delightful harvest that helps us all get ready for fall.