NORTHVILLIANS,
Unity and coming together are the central themes in this country today. Locally, citizens are supporting our community in so many ways – through engagement on new initiatives, remarkable attendance at meetings and assisting our businesses, seniors, youth & others in our civic area. Vaccinations are also on people’s minds, so I will share some updates on that, too. Over 40 million vaccination vials have been sent to the various states who are working out their logistics & procedures for distribution. Check with your health care provider: University of Michigan, Beaumont, Providence, & other organizations who are contacting those in their networks to set up appointments for vaccinations.
The Michigan goal is 50K vaccinations daily, and nationally, it’s one million inoculations per day.
Additionally, in this week’s letter, I’ll highlight another gateway area which has been established as a living & learning history museum of the community... our beloved Mill Race Village.
But first, let’s look at the LATEST NEWS:
- Gov. Whitmer announced on 1/22 that bars & restaurants can resume limited indoor dining on February 1st, ending a nearly two-month pause. A sustained decrease in new coronavirus cases is ending the ban on indoor dining. (Bridge Michigan)
- Michigan’s infection rate is down 70% according to Gov. Whitmer, and the State is ramping up policies & procedures to distribute vaccine vials while working with the National Guard on logistics to reach our 50K daily goal. For more info call 211. Meijer’s Pharmacy (8/Haggerty) is taking appointments. (Michigan.gov/covidvaccine.com)
- Michigan’s small businesses impacted by COVID-19 can apply for Michigan Small Business Survival grants through the MEDC (Michigan Executive Office of the Governor).
- Michigan’s Beaumont Hospital data shows an 85% decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations in their system from previous peak levels. Beaumont has administered over 50,000 vaccines thus far in their network. (Beaumont.com)
- The one-dose COVID vaccine developed by Johnson & Johnson could dramatically speed up the fight against the pandemic. Johnson & Johnson has promised the U.S. government a total of 1 billion vaccine doses this year. (USA Today)
- Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert, was optimistic about the timeline for additional new coronavirus vaccine approvals, saying the clearance of AstraZeneca & Johnson & Johnson shots “is close.” (The Hill)
- In downtown Northville, all the warming & vender pods are now in place to add to the festive environment in the Social District, further supporting “HEAT IN THE STREET.” Be sure to enjoy all our downtown has to offer by staying safe, masked-up and socially-distanced. (downtownnorthville.com)
- COVID-19 CONFIRMED CASES: Northville has had 191 cases/7 fatalities, Township 1398/45, Michigan 602K/15.3K, Nation 26M/427K, Global 100M/2.2M. (CDC)
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Now let’s transition to another Historic Gateway into our Community …
My parents always instilled in me that to plan for our future, you must first know the past and embrace the present. And while so many of us have done so, I encourage everyone who comes into town on Griswold, to take a moment and rediscover the Mill Race Historic Village. It is truly a walking history of our community, set in a scenic environment with its topography of the river, pond, hills and greenspace.
We’re fortunate to have the Northville Historical Society that provides a very clear lens into a proud history dating back roughly 200 years. The Village provides a far better history than any book ever could. The Mill Race Village was established in 1972 when Ford agreed to deed this property to the City.
Today, the Mill Race contains eight historic local buildings which I remember seeing moved there.
The Village preserves a slice of what Northville was like before 1900 during its first 100 years. And notably, we are closing in on our second 100 years and will celebrate our bicentennial in 2027. The Village will certainly be spotlighted then.
The Mill Race was once the site of the Northville Grist Mill and then later owned by Henry Ford who strolled this area on his honeymoon. The Village consists of an inn, a blacksmith shop, school, church, gazebo, wooden bridge, general store, an interurban trolley station and several Victorian homes.
I would invite each & everyone of you to imagine times of yesteryear by walking the village grounds and envision what life was like in the Ville many years ago.
Mill Race Village Milestones
1964 Charter meeting of the Northville Historical Society
1972 New School Church & Hunter House moved to the Village
Ford donated the property to the City for creation of the Village (11.83 acres)
1975 Yerkes House moved to The Mill Race area
1976 Minuteman Wood Bridge built
1979 Gazebo constructed
1987 Cady Inn moved to the Village
1992 Interurban Trolley station positioned at Mill Race
2010 The General Store is relocated & rebuilt on the grounds
Again, as we started this letter, I thank everyone for coming together in “Unity” for the benefit of this community, our state and our nation. I appreciate the time & talents shared by all of you on the initiatives associated with the Mill Race Village area, including the River Walk, Ford Field, along with others.
I encourage you to stay connected to all in the Ville and slow down & take a stroll around the Mill Race Village. It’s a great way to absorb our history!
Keep that Northville Faith, & let’s move forward … together.
Brian Turnbull
Mayor – Northville
[email protected] / 248.505.6849
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