About Us

 

Our Mission

The Rochester-Avon Historical Society is a nonprofit organization that educates our community about local history to foster appreciation and preservation of our historical resources and pride of place.

In the 1930s, the Rochester Pioneer Society was formed only to disband in the 1940s. In 1969, as Rochester celebrated one hundred years since its incorporation as a village, residents decided to establish a local historical society. The Rochester-Avon Historical Society’s first meeting was held in August 1969.

 

Our Board of Directors

  • Tiffany Dziurman, President
  • David Berletich, Vice President
  • OPEN POSITION, Secretary
  • Janet Raymond, Treasurer
  • Katie Stozicki, Communications DIrector
  • Karen Lemon, Membership Director
  • Carla Gallusser, Newsletter Director

Achievements

The Rochester-Avon Historical Society has a record of taking on big projects and getting things done! Below is a list of some of our awards and achievements:

  • 2025: Rededicated the World War II Honor Roll.
  • 2024-25: Repainted and created a new exhibit space for the World War II Honor Roll monument site at 400 Sixth St., Rochester, MI.
  • 2022: Created the first Rochester-Avon Historical Society Scholarship. For more information, visit https://www.rochesteravonhistoricalsociety.org/donations.
  • 2014: Restored the 19th century Butts family surrey, built by the Dunlap Vehicle Company, which played an important role in the formation of General Motors. The surrey is on loan to the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm. RAHS members receive free general admission to the museum!
  • 2011: Unveiled the restored 1938 Marvin Beerbohm mural at the Rochester Community Schools Administration Building (old Rochester High School).
  • 2010: Successfully nominated the Griggs Brothers/Rochester Elevator Company Grain Elevator to the National Register of Historic Places (listed 12/13/2010).
  • 2009: Repainted the Griggs Brothers/Rochester Elevator Company Grain Elevator to help stabilize the historic structure
  • 2002: Restored and rededicated Rochester’s World War II Honor Roll monument.

Awards

  • 2015: State History Award presented from the Historical Society of Michigan for the Rochester Era newsletter.
  • 2013: Earl Borden Award in 2013 for the Oakland Regional Historic Sites website. This site has since been replaced with our listings on theclio.com.
  • 2012: Rochester Area Chamber’s Sunrise Pinnacle Award in the category of Arts & Culture in October 2012.
  • 2012: State History Award from the Historical Society of Michigan for a collaborative historical sites website.
  • 2011: Local Society Award from the Historical Society of Michigan
  • 2011: RAHS president Rod Wilson won the Distinguished Volunteer Service Award from the Historical Society of Michigan
  • 2011: Preservation Gem Award from the Michigan Historic Preservation Network for the restoration of the 1938 Marvin Beerbohm mural at the Rochester Community Schools Administration Building (old Rochester High School)
  • 2011: RAHS member LaVere Webster won a 2011 Mayors’ Arts & Culture Award from the Paint Creek Center for the Arts for his restoration work on the 1938 Marvin Beerbohm mural at the former Rochester High School at 501 W. University. This mural has since been moved to the RCS office on Dequindre Rd.