This page features Washtenaw County historical events anniversaries and programs and events to celebrate those anniversaries. Included are American Revolution Semiquincentennial Events.
Sesquicentennial Anniversary (150 Years)
Ann Arbor
Chelsea
Dexter
Manchester
Pittsfield
Salem
Saline
Ypsilanti
Washtenaw County
Bicentennial Anniversary (200 Years)
Ann Arbor
. . . . . Ann Arbor Bicentennial Events
. . . . . Ann Arbor’s Story: The First 50 Years at Washtenaw County Historical Society’s Museum on Main Street
In celebration of the Bicentennial, the exhibit looks at one of the most curious periods in Ann Arbor’s history: the first 50 years (1824-1874). You will see artifacts,objects, textiles, photos, and maps from the Society’s collection to show what life was like for the earliest residents. The Museum on Main Street itself is the largest artifact on exhibit. Construction began on the Kellogg-Warden House in 1835 just 11 years after Ann Arbor’s founding and it is one of the oldest buildings in the City. The Kellogg and Warden families were millers, merchants,and real estate speculators originally from New York state but their businesses did not thrive as they had hoped.
As you move through the exhibit, you will see bits and pieces of house history, including the insides of walls. In fact the house itself was moved from Wall Street in Lower Town to our present site at 500 N. Main Street in 1990!
Raising a village takes pioneers whose stories range from inspiring to mysterious, and heroic to heartbreaking. It takes settlers who build homes, operate farms, raise families and connect with each other to form communities. And it takes home-made items, businesses, and occupations that contribute to the quality of everyday life. In celebration of the Bicentennial, this exhibit looks at one of the most curious periods of Ann Arbor’s history: the first 50 years (1824-1874). Intriguing artifacts, objects,textiles, photos, and maps from the collection will be mixed with stories and more to show what life was like for the earliest residents. Explore the historical books, plat maps, newspapers, city directories and more in the third room!
The exhibit is open on Saturdays and Sundays, 12 Noon-4pm and weekdays by appointment. Call 734-662-9092 or email wchs-1000@ameritech.net. There is free parking in the lot next to the museum and no charge for admission.
. . . . . May 25, 1824 – The town plot was registered in Wayne County. The registration contains the earliest known use of the town’s unique name–Annarbour.
Chelsea
Dexter
The Dexter area was settler in 1824, 13 years before Michigan became a state, when land speculator Samuel W. Dexter purchased a large tract of land and originated the village. It was known as the “Mill Creek Settlement” until the village was platted in 1830 and the name was officially changed to Dexter. After being appointed County Court Justice in 1826, Judge Dexter reportedly established a post office in his home, shuttling mail between there and Ann Arbor on horseback.
Manchester
Pittsfield
. . . . . In 1824, most of the first pioneers to Pittsfield Township purchased land and settled within one mile of the Packard and Platt Roads intersection, forming a community that derived its name from this creek, Malletts Creek Settlement. At this location one of the first two log cabins in Pittsfield Township were constructed by Ezra Maynard, and his son, Charles. Ezra and Charles Maynard were the original owners of what today is known as Cobblestone Farm.
Eleven days in June saw the purchase of several acres of land in Malletts Creek: June 4: Ezra and Charles Maynard, Claudius Britton JR., John Hiscock, Lewis Barr; June 7: Samuel Drake McDowell, Oliver Whitmore; and June 14: Oliver Whitmore, Luke H. Whitmore. Later purchases in the same community were: Charles Anderson, Joseph Parsons, and Aaron Barney.
The land purchased in Malletts Creek between June 4th and 14th became endorsements of the site for other early settlers and also suggested the coming of enough other persons to create a community that could help assure everyone’s security and support a school.
Salem
. . . . . February 22, 1826 – First Land Patents Granted by The United States Federal Government to Samuel Mapes, Rufus Thayer, Royal Wheelock, David M. Scovell, Elkanah Pratt, Aaron Blood, And Joseph Dickerson.
Saline
Ypsilanti
Washtenaw County
Michigan
. . . . . July 23, 1828 – The Historical Society on Michigan was officially founded with Governor Lewis Cass serving as President and the territorial legislative council — including Henry Schoolcraft — serving as ex officio members.
United States Of America
. . . . . October 26, 1825 – Erie Canal is opened allowing easier transportation to Michigan.
American Semiquincentennial (250Years)
Saline
. . . . . For the 250th Anniversary of our country, it is a goal of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) to mark Patriot graves that have a proven lineage to the DAR organization. The marking of the graves for Samuel Waldron and Archibald Armstrong at the Oakwood Cemetery in Saline will be held on Sunday, September 24, 2023.