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Officers
Susan Hartz. ................................................President
Jack McCormick.............Vice President-Administration
Stuart Grigg..................... Vice President-Development
Susan Bologna. .....................Vice President-Education
Herman Mozer.................. Vice President-Preservation
Steve Vella. ................................................. Treasurer
Marlene Harle.............................................Secretary
The Grosse Pointe Historical Society
Headquarters, Provencal-Weir House, c. 1823,
376 Kercheval Ave., is open the second Saturday
of each month during special events, and by
appointment.
The Alfred B. and Ruth S. Moran Resource Center,
381 Kercheval Ave., is open Tuesday and
Wednesday, 10:00 AM–12:30 PM and 1:30–4:00
p.m. for research. Telephone: (313) 884-7010.
Website: www.gphistorical.org
Kay Agney
Denis Bouchard
Susan Budrys
Carolyn Candler
James Conway
Doug Cordier
Valerie Dodenhoff
Doug Dossin
Debbie Graffius
Greg Jakub
Maud Lyon
Mary Lighton Shafer
Paul J. Sloan
Elizabeth Soby
Peggy Woodhouse
Director of Education
Izzy Donnelly
Administrator
Helga Liedtke
Parliamentarian
Andrea Weyhing
Curator Emeritus
Jean Dodenhoff
Webmaster
Jay Hunter
Moorings Editor
Ann Marie Aliotta
Not Yet a Member? Want to donate?
Visit
www.gphistorical.org
for
a convenient way to do both.
Select the link
“Join & Support GPHS.”
We need you!
Consider donating your time to help the Grosse
Pointe Historical Society. We have many volunteer
opportunities, including
Provencal-Weir House tour
guide, sales assistant in La Belle’s Country Store, office
assistant or archivist in the Moran Resource Center,
event assistant, gardener and handyperson.
This is an excellent way to learn about local history
and contribute to our Grosse Pointe heritage.
Call (313) 884-7010 to Volunteer.
Charles Berschback
Patricia R. Colett
Michael Farley
Lisa Mower Gandelot
Nancy Griffin
Stuart Grigg
Ronald C. Lamparter
Russell H. Peebles
Thomas E. Singelyn, DDS
Michael Skinner
Gail R. Stroh-Marentette
Honorary Board
View From The President
The past year has been both challenging
and rewarding. My job is to make sure we
accomplished what we set out to do.
I think we have done just that.Take
a look at what we have been up to:
• Enlarged programs and curriculum
for school children throughout the
year at the Provencal Weir House
• Guided tours by trained docents
of the Provencal Weir House
throughout the year.
• Ongoing digitizing of photos for
preservation from our archives.
• Informational booths at community
events manned by trained volunteers.
• Six Bicknell Lectures, some partnered with
the War Memorial and the Ford House.
• “Talking Headstones” in conjunction with
the Grosse Pointe Theatre, a one act play in
the St. Paul Cemetery about Grosse Pointe
residents 100 years ago.
• La Fete d’ Ete, our major fundraiser party
at Tom and Diane Schoenith’s historic
home in Grosse Pointe City.The party was
a smashing success.
• Second Saturday tours by a local historian
Scott Vandemergel and others.
• Oral histories recorded by video of 80 to
100-year-old Grosse Pointe citizens at
Neff Park during the celebration of the
Park’s 100’th birthday.
• Eco tulip sale, successful as a mini-
fundraiser thanks to all our committed
volunteers and our industrious staff.
• Dixie Swim Club, a rollicking play in
conjunction with the Theatre Arts Club
of Detroit fundraiser at the historic
Player’s Playhouse
• Party of the Century last
fall at Victoria and
Robert Liggett’s home
was another successful fund
raiser in conjunction with
the Van Eslander Breast
Cancer Center.
• “Amore”, Doug Cordier’s
Valentine dinner at the
Provencal Weir House
was another successful
fund raiser.
• Three plaques awarded to historic and
important homes in Grosse Pointe
Coming up this Fall:
• The Talking Headstones performance with
an all-new script and cast of characters.
This play will be conducted at the St. Paul’s
cemetery, in conjunction with the Grosse
Pointe Theatre
• Walking tours on Second Saturdays by
Scott Vandemergel
• View of Fairview in September with
Nick Sinacori, Kiki Herfert, and Ken
Schramm
Check out our award-winning website for
dates and details of all upcoming events at
www.gphistorical.org. Please join in the fun
at one of our interesting events where history
comes alive.
Susan Hartz
Susan Hartz
School Visits to the Provencal-Weir House
The 2009-2010 school year brought teams of curious students to the Provencal-Weir
House for a day of school that transported them back in time. Grades one through five came
for tours of the house, the log cabin, lessons in reading from our McGuffy readers, writing,
spelling and even some old-fashioned discipline.The “Dunce Cap” is a favorite with students.
In fact, when the fourth and fifth graders from the Grosse Pointe Academy caught their
teacher, Mr. Lapadot, giving out an answer too quickly for their spelling bee, they insisted he
wear the “Dunce Cap” as a consequence.When donned, the squeals of delight rang through
the One-room School Room and enhanced the already successful day for the students and
teachers.
Learning is easily achieved when it is fun and the impact
on the children at the end of the day is always evident. One
mother told me that she and her son were driving home one
night and her son’s visit to the Provencal-Weir House was so
memorable that he asked if they could drive by it to see it at
night.This year’s number of students more than doubled from
last year and first grade was added to the curriculum. Groups
included students, scouts, and even senior citizens from the
Sunrise Senior Living home.
Izzy Donnelly
Director of Education
Susan Hartz is available to offer her well
received talk “Glorious Gardens of Grosse
Pointe” to your organization or group. The
powerpoint presentation is filled with
images of impressive historic properties and
gardens of old Grosse Pointe.
Fee: $100.