Firefly Preservation Consulting

I really can't say enough about the work the Northfield Township Historical Society has done to identify, research, and protect its historic resources, or how proud I am to have been a part of it!

Historic preservation effort north of Ann Arbor wins state recognition The Northfield Township project surveyed more than 1,300 properties and secured National Register of Historic Places designations for sites recognized for their contributions to local history, architecture.

I'm so honored to have been included in this year's awards for the Northfield Township projects. I've been working with the Northfield Township Historical Society since 2019 to complete an architectural survey of some of the oldest properties in the township, then to shape the information from that survey into a National Register Multiple Property Documentation Form of historic and architectural resources in the township and to nominate five properties under that MPDF, including the Greek Revival-style Leland House, Queen Anne-style Bessert-Ryan House, and the German heritage-related German Park Recreation Club, St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, and Zeeb Farm. Since 2019, we've listed additional properties in the National Register independent of the new MPDF, including the Italianate-style Sutton House and the highly intact Groves Farm, which has also been protected with local designation. (Just a reminder - the National Register is honorary! You need local designation to protect historic properties!)

This truly is an example of preservation done well. Starting with survey and planning, moving to designation and protection, and now thinking about ways to share these projects with wider audiences. Congratulations to the historical society for their seemingly boundless energy and patience! This is no small feat!

I look forward to the next opportunities to work with this great community and share even more of its incredible history!

Shoutout to Muskegon! I spent a LOT of time at the Hackley library and its neighbor, the local history collection library, during the Muskegon Civil Rights Survey. The librarians were incredibly helpful and they have an incredible collection of local history materials. Stop by if you get the chance!

Happy National Lighthouse Day! So appreciate the shoutout from Michigan State Historic Preservation Office for the South Fox Island Light Station, which I nominated to the National Register a couple of years ago. Interesting history and beautiful place!

Congratulations Ray!

Congratulations to the Groves Farm, Eden Springs Park, and all the newly designated properties around the state!

Nineteen Distinctive Places in Michigan listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2023 | Michigan Business Nineteen historic properties listed in 2023 help to tell a more complete history at the local, state, and national levels.