NORTHVILLIANS,

The end of the school year in Northville signals a time to relax and have fun for most kids. In their quest, many get involved in Recreation and Scouting activities, along with other summer pursuits. At our household, it was a time to sign up for summer programs at the Rec Building which is known as the Art House today.

For most of the last century, local recreation activities historically occurred at Ford Field, behind the Main Street School and at the Rec/Scout building known as the Art House today. In recent years, Northville Parks & Rec has been centered at the Community Center and Hillside School.

I can easily say that summers were never boring in the 1960’s & early 70’s because of the touchpoint of our Rec building. Today I am proud to be part of the Parks and Recreation Board learning from our history and assisting in guiding our future.

Before looking at activities that happened in this building, let’s take a look at what’s happening in town today:

Events

• Northville Monthly Car Show – 2^nd Saturday each month:
  This past weekend, the Ville had their monthly Car show with close to 160 vehicles on display, which even included some motorcycles. I thank all that have worked to make this event the success it has become since its genesis last year. Special thanks to the original stakeholders of Alexander’s Custom Clothiers on Main St and to Roush Performance, along with early supporters including Northville Lumber and General RV, among others.
   
• Arts & Acts Festival, 6/17-6/19 – Celebrates the Arts in the Ville… Link
   
• Northville Fourth of July Parade – Monday 7/4 at 10:00 AM. The route is Griswold to Main to Dunlap to Linden to Main Street to Center. And be sure to look for the Fly-Over.
   
• Dancing in the Ville – Town Square, Wednesday evenings 6:30-8:00 PM. Arthur Murray teachers provide lessons for a variety of dance genres (all levels).
   
• Summer Concerts every Friday & Saturday at 7:00 PM – Downtown
   
• Northville Garden Walk – 7/13 … Link for information
   
• Northville Today – See the latest issue with many Northville area updates and some history. See Link: http://mymediaflip.com/publication/?i=749758

Now let's take a look at the Northville Recreation/Scout/Art House building activities through the years...

1962 – The Art House of today was dedicated as the Scout & Recreation building.

SCOUTING in the Scouting/Recreation/Art House building:

• Scouting occurred in this building for most of the last century (Scouting in the U.S. started in 1910, followed by Girls Scouts in 1912). According to The Record, local Scouting can be traced to a 1914 event in the Ville.
   
• The first Northville Boy Scout Troop was established under the sponsorship of the Methodist Church. Today, the Methodist Church Men’s Club still sponsors a troop. In fact, this past weekend it was my honor to present two Mayoral proclamations to our latest Eagle Scouts.
   
• In the early 1930’s, more troops in town were formed and were supported by the American Legion and the Presby Church along with others.
   
• Locally, thousands of Scouts have participated at this building and hundreds have achieved the top Scout Awards of Eagle and the Gold Award.
   
• Today, Northville has one of the highest percentages in the country for these honors in part because they historically had a dedicated gathering place.

• In the late 1960’s & early 70’s, I remember meeting at this building making “Plaster of Paris” statues, painting wild watercolors, having Turtle Races (which my sister seemed to win yearly), participating in archery behind the building where there was an ice rink in the winter and even fencing. Summer mornings seemed to always start at the Rec building. Early on, my brother who is in his late 70’s, recalls before the Rec building was built, around 20-25 kids would gather under a big tree behind the old Main St. Elementary School.

1962 – Grand Opening of this Scouting & Recreation building

1964 – The Northville Senior Citizen Club started meeting here.

1967 – Girl Scouts started overnight camping in the back area of the Scout Building.

1969 – Northville Day Care Co-op started meeting in the building.

1989 – The Record mentioned that the following groups made use of the old Scout/Recreation building (now the Art House): Northville Youth Network, Senior Citizens, Scouts, Friends of the Library and Civic Concern, among many others.

2004 - The Art House was established at the City’s Scout/Recreation building.

2020 - The Art House became a separate entity with City support.
 
As you stroll the Ville, I encourage you to slow down and stop by the Art House (215 W. Cady St.) and envision all the activities, organizations and youth that have been part of initiatives at this historic structure & grounds over the past 60 years. Thank you for sharing your time and talents for the benefit of the Art House in our community.
 
Keep that Northville Faith!