The Swartz Creek Historical Society

In October of 1999, Swartz Creek Mayor Pro-tem Dennis Allen appointed a four-person committee to catalog, manage and display a collection of historical memorabilia which had been recently donated to the city. The members were Don Spillane, Bill Morgan, Susan Smith, and Sharon Natzel. Brandi Christie was later appointed and served as secretary.

During the year 2000, the committee met monthly to discuss methods of preserving, storing, and displaying the materials. Talk about service projects led to the annual cemetery cleanup, held the first Saturday of May, where headstones are cleaned and repaired, and other beatification efforts are performed. The group also worked to develop a mission statement and logo. Furthermore, discussion concerning the historical significance of the Chippewa Indian Burial Ground in Gaines Township began.

A desire to include four surrounding townships in our efforts led to the formation of a Michigan non-profit corporation, The Swartz Creek Area Historical Society, on May 20, 2002. A constitution was written, elections were held, and meetings were scheduled. The organization was founded on the elements of character, vision, and commitment which, we believed, would help insure growth and survival. Meetings are currently held the second Wednesday of each month, except December, in the Swartz Creek City Hall at 7:00 p.m. Trustees meet at 5:30 p.m. at the same place.

As a result of the non-profit status, the City Council voted to give all donated items to the new Historical Society. The Council also voted to provide space for the organization in the new City Hall which was dedicated in December of 2002. The Mini Museum officially opened the same day. It is open during city business hours with a Power Point presentation running daily.

Fund raisers for the organization have included auctions held during Hometown days (the annual City summertime celebration), reprinting and selling the local history book, “Going up the Swartz,” and donations from various members.

Membership is 102, as of April 2005, with members in five different states. Four honorary life-time memberships have been awarded: Mildred Smith in 2003, Marie Lovegrove in 2004, Ms Beulah Hansen in 2005, and Dr. James English in 2006.

A newsletter is mailed every town months, and our web site is at www.swartzcreekhistory.com.