Oakland County Pioneer & Historical Society Summer Ice Cream Social

ALL ABOARD!  LET'S STEP BACK IN TIME....

As a member of the Troy Historical Society, I think it is important to support the historical and genealogical societies from our neighboring cities.  Today I attended the Summer Ice Cream Social for the Oakland County Pioneer and Historical Society.  Held on the grounds of the Wisner Mansion, there were activities for people of all ages.  From the quilt display, to the spinning and weaving demonstration, the pioneer farm museum, artifacts from the winter ice house dig, and kids crafts' tent, there was something for just about everyone.

For those who are unaware, Moses Wisner was the 12th governor for the State of Michigan.  There was no Governor's Mansion  in Lansing so he built a stately home on his farm in Pontiac. I toured the home and was pleased to see so many things that he and his family used.  I loved his desk which had a fold-down desktop for writing, two doors on either side with cubicles and even a mail slot for incoming mail on one side.  When folded back up, the desk looked like a regular cabinet!  Our forefathers had the idea of saving space even back then and I could almost use one of those myself!  The mansion has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior.  It is indeed a place worthy of preservation (http://www.ocphs.org/drupal-6.1).

We were privileged to have a Civil War cannon on site. It was fired once every hour, with the first volley executed by our County Executive, L. Brooks Patterson. 

The Peace Jubilee Brass Band serenaded with music of the period. Each musician was also in period costume.  The Band performs at historical reenactments, military balls, etc.  Their own website is www.peacejubileebrassband.com.

Honored guests included Tom Berlucchi, Chairman of the Historic Fort Wayne Coalition (http://www.historicfortwaynecoalition.com/fortabout.html) and John Michael Gibney, Civil War Reenactor since 1960.  Mr. Gibney has also been a participant in the films Gettysburg, Glory, and Gods and Generals.  I attended Mr. Gibney's most interesting presentation on Union and Confederate flags from the Civil War.

Also on hand was a familiar face - Fred Priebe as President Lincoln.  He was one of our guests at the Adult Civil War Day at the Troy Historic Village.  He was here today with his wife, Bonnie, aka Mary Todd Lincoln.  

 Numerous folks were dressed in period attire.  One of  the ladies was sporting a chatelaine, which is likened to a man's tool belt.  This one held two keys, a watch piece, and a container for sewing needles.  All were on individual chains which hung by a single ornament that attached to her waist belt.

I could not leave without visiting the Gift Shop and acquiring a souvenir of my visit.  I purchased a 2016 calendar filled with vintage photographs of the city of Pontiac, so named for the Ottawa Indian chief who would eventually become Council Head for  the Ottawa, Potawatomi, and Ojibwa peoples.  This will surely become one of my treasures.