Stoney Creek Village celebrates bicentennial Sept. 17

ROCHESTER HILLS — Stoney Creek Village is celebrating its bicentennial this year, and the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm is planning to commemorate the occasion with a special event for the public Sept. 17.

“This is an event that culminates a lot of research that we’ve been doing this year in honor of the 200 years that the village as been here, so really our goal is to celebrate and tell people about this amazing village — but not just the past, but all these amazing things it’s still doing today and how they can connect back to the community and be a part of that history as well,” said Cathy Fitzpatrick, the museum’s program coordinator.

Settled in 1823, Stoney Creek Village is home to several of Oakland County’s oldest and best-preserved homes, according to Museum Director Pat McKay. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the village is also home to the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm.

“We just wanted to tell all these stories about this cluster of about 19 homes and all the things that have happened here over 200 years,” McKay said. “It’s an unbelievable, remarkable story.”

The Taylor family relocated from upstate New York to Michigan in 1823. By the time the Taylors arrived in Stoney Creek, museum staff said, most Native Americans had been forcefully removed from the region by way of the Detroit Treaty of 1807, their land forfeited in exchange for reservations. On behalf of his relatives, Elisha Taylor purchased 160 acres of land at $1.25/acre, establishing the beginning of Stoney Creek Village.

From the Native Americans that predated the Taylor arrival to subsistence farmers, fiber artists, millers, blacksmiths, teachers, a world-renowned doctor, and a representative in Congress, museum staff said the history of the area has many stories to tell.

The public is invited to celebrate the 200-year legacy of Stoney Creek Village noon-5 p.m. Sept. 17.

“The biggest part of the celebration is that we are inviting the community in. We have stuff for adults, and we have stuff for kids and families. … There’s really something for everyone,” said Fitzpatrick.

Guests can visit historic homes and buildings, check out the museum’s new exhibits, and explore old archaeological digs and artifacts. Visitors can grab a bite to eat, enjoy historical banjo music, learn about Anishinabek culture, explore the gardens, and talk with local history and nonprofit organizations about how they can make an impact. Kids can participate in a coloring station, view apple pressing demonstrations, enjoy cider and doughnuts, make a whirligig toy, sample honey, and more.

“It’s a whole day of lots of activities, and it’s going to be scattered throughout the village — which is the best part — so we’ll get people walking in the backyards and back alleys of these houses, and our schoolhouse will be open,” McKay said. “It’s going to be a really fun day to focus on the village and the history that kind of surrounds the museum.”   

The event is free, with a suggested — but optional — donation of participants’ choice.

Those who can’t make it to the bicentennial celebration can pop by the museum to view the new, permanent Stoney Creek Village Bicentennial Exhibit during the museum’s drop-in hours noon-3 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays throughout the year, with a 1 p.m. guided tour of the 1840 Van Hoosen farmhouse and the 1850 Red House. The cost is free for museum members, $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and students. Included with admission is a self-guided tour of exhibits in the dairy barn, the bull barn, milk house, equipment barn, and children’s garden, as well as the nearby Stoney Creek Cemetery and the 16 acres of grounds.

The museum is also encouraging the public to celebrate the 200th anniversary by becoming a member of the $200/200 Club. The museum’s goal is to have over 200 people donate $200 each in celebration of this milestone to support the new exhibit and cover museum operations.

The Rochester Hills Museum is located at 1005 Van Hoosen Road, off  Tienken Road, between Rochester and Dequindre roads. For more information, visit rochesterhills.org/museum, email rhmuseum@rochesterhills.org or call (248) 656-4664.