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:

Awards

  • 2015 – The Butts surrey, restored by RAHS in 2014, won first place in in the Novelty category for the Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade Dec. 6.
  • 2015 – won a State History Award presented from the Historical Society of Michigan for the Rochester Era newsletter.
  • 2013 – won the Earl Borden Award in 2013 for the Oakland Regional Historic Sites website.
  • 2012 – won the Rochester Area Chamber’s Sunrise Pinnacle Award in the category of Arts & Culture in October 2012.
  • 2012 – won a State History Award from the Historical Society of Michigan for a collaborative historical sites website.
  • 2011 – won the 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 – won the 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 Rochester Community Schools Administration Building (old Rochester High School).

Achievements

  • 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. RAHS debuted the beautifully restored surrey in the Rochester Hometown Christmas Parade on Dec. 7. The surrey is not on loan to the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm for the public to view.
  • 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