A note from from Mayor Brian Turnbull...


** NORTHVILLIANS,
------------------------------------------------------------
I wanted to give you plenty of time to get ready for this year’s Victorian Festival weekend which
begins Friday 9/20, with students gathering at the Mill Race Historic Village and culminating that
night with the Victorian parade at 6:30 PM. The weekend’s activities include Concerts, the
American Legion Beer Tent, Dedications, Car shows, vendors, many Festival events and even
the excitement of historic horse and buggy rides around the Ville. Link ([link removed])

The upcoming Victorian Festival week is always a special one, especially for all of our third
graders who spend a great deal of time learning our 200-year history at the Mill Race. It’s truly
our time to celebrate our storied past.

As we approach our Bicentennial, it’s up to all of us to learn all we can about our rich history. By
2027, our “Gateways to the Community” will be even more vibrant, with new, thoughtful
development along recaptured riverbanks. This will include a connected pathway that starts at
our renovated Ford Field greenspace along the Rouge River and ends at a new Northville
Community Gathering place (Farmers’ Market) across from Custard Time. This gathering area,
supported by both the Township and the City, will host activities such as the Farmers’ Market,
festivals, county events, car shows, and even staging areas for parades and other events. We
are on an exciting trajectory, partnering with the Township as we ready our community to
become a true “destination.”

Victorian Era
The Victorian era took place around the years 1820 – 1914, corresponding roughly (but not exactly) to the period of Queen Victoria’s reign (1837–1901). It was characterized by the growing number of people that were given the right to vote and a booming industrial growth period.

During this time, Northville transformed from one of the first milling areas in the State to a bustling Village with a dynamic downtown, bringing folks in via trains, trolleys, and stagecoaches. During our country’s Industrial Revolution, Northville grew to be the second largest economic power in the state behind Detroit.

BEFORE LOOKING AT OUR PAST VICTORIAN FESTIVAL ACTIVITIES, LET’S SEE WHAT’S GOING ON TODAY:
* Victorian Festival 9/20-22 (Parade 9/20, Activities, Events, Duck Race) Link ([link removed])
* Tree Carving Dedication 9/21 1:00 PM behind City Hall – Legacy Elm Tree celebrates the legacy of our Northville history through its carved surfaces. Link ([link removed])
* Music in downtown Northville. Saturday evenings – Link ([link removed]) , Friday nights – Link ([link removed]) ,
* Parmenter’s Northville Cider Mill is open now (Baseline Rd) – 7 days a week from 10AM till 8PM … 151 years and going strong! Link ([link removed])
* Farmers’ Market – Visit Northville’s Award-Winning Market, Thursdays, 8AM-2PM (Highland Lakes Shopping Center – 7 Mile/Northville Rd)
* Northville’s Old Timers Lunch & History presentation, along with the Senior of the Year Announcement – Tuesday, Sept. 17, 11:00 AM, Genitti’s 108 E. Main St. Pay at door ($15) or over the phone (248-349-0522). Link ([link removed])
* Northville: The Ideal Suburban Village – History lecture by the Mayor at the Northville District Library, Wednesday, Sept. 18, 7 PM. Link ([link removed])
* The Northville Historical Society’s new coffee table book A Ride Through Northville by Steven Quay takes readers on a historical journey through Northville of the 1950’s through the 1980’s. Pre-order a copy (Link ([link removed]) ) and meet the author at a special event at Genitti’s on Thursday, Sept. 19, 6 PM. A limited number of tickets for $25 are available in person at 108 E. Main St. or call (248) 349-0522.
* Cars and Coffee Saturday, 9/21, 8-10 AM – Join our monthly gathering (2^nd Saturday) at 212 W. Cady Street, behind Old Village School next to the Library. Bring a car/bring yourself.
* Mayoral Town Hall, 10/2, 7:00 PM Township Hall with School Board candidate intros
* Living History: Oakwood Cemetery Tour, Saturday, 10/5, 4-8 PM – Guided tours and actors share our community’s storied past, brought to you by The Northville Art House and the Northville Historical Society. Link ([link removed])
* Tipping Point Theatre’s Season 17 begins with Grand Horizons on Sept. 25. Link ([link removed])

Info for Citizens
PROJECTS AROUND TOWN
* Ford Field – Phase I: (Fall) Infrastructure, waterfall, staircase, fencing, invasive tree removal / Phase II (Spring) – Vista, Play structure, bathrooms, drainage.
* Riverwalk – Daylighting of River & River Park at the Downs is progressing (as well as the progress of other sections).
* Downs Initiative – Foundations & build will begin on Cady (Fall) and infrastructure work for the entire 49 acres is moving forward. Link ([link removed])
* Log Cabin – Moved – Its new location is on corner of River St and Seven Mile. Link ([link removed])
* Mill Race Village – Lane Grand Opening on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2-5 PM with refreshments and entertainment. Commemorative engraved bricks are still available to purchase. Link ([link removed])

NEWLY FORMED TASK FORCE MEETINGS
* Bicentennial Task Force Mtg – 9/17 (Tuesday) 7:00 PM Community Center (Date & Location change)
* Cemetery Restoration Task Force – 9/23 meets on 4^th Monday (City Hall 7:00 PM)

Historically during the Victorian Festival week our schools highlight our history. Lets take a look...
* In 1927, Northville celebrated its first 100 years with a huge Centennial Parade, the largest parade in our state’s history up to that time, which commemorated our Victorian roots. Henry Ford (honorary citizen) assisted.
* Through the years, the Victorian Festival has had house tours, live performances, historic walks, and other learning experiences for the community around town. Of course, this includes our living history area called the Mill Race Village, which has a plethora of Victorian structures on its grounds.
* Victorian Weddings have been commonplace at the Mill Race during the Festival (I’ve officiated at least 70 so far, complete with Tails & Top Hat).
* Northville’s Victorian-era baseball teams (Eclipse) have games in authentic vintage uniforms at our historic Ford Field, along with Victorian-style Cricket games, too.
* Additionally, historical Victorian parades, costume balls, and games have been associated with our yearly activities. Also, duck races and Victorian hat contests have taken place in past years with bagpipers piping.

I believe knowing our past is crucial to planning our future together. I fully encourage you to learn more about our community’s history. Stroll through our Mill Race Village or visit the library with its history room to read about our past. You can also view historic photos at City Hall where I always offer to tour you around and enlighten you about our rich history.

Get ready for a week of Northville History!
Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849

(Reach out to me anytime or forward this communication to others interested.)

Click the following link to subscribe to this weekly newsletter:
[link removed]

============================================================
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Instagram ([link removed])
** Email (mailto:[email protected])
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can ** update your preferences ([link removed])
or ** unsubscribe from this list ([link removed])
.