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Spring 2009 Dr. Frank Bicknell
Lecture Series
Albert Kahn, the Fords and Grosse Pointe
Wednesday, May 20, 2009 7:30 p.m.
Edsel and Eleanor Ford House, 1100 Lake Shore
Road, Grosse Pointe Shores
During the centennial
of Kahn’s work with the
Fords, we will explore
his relationship with that
family and his other
works in Grosse Pointe.
Complimentary
New at the Alfred B. and Ruth S. Moran
Resource Center
We have received some interesting contributions in the
past few months.
Bill and Mary Jo Huntington, of Hickey’s Walton
Pierce, donated some fascinating bits of history after
the legendary clothier closed in February: A wall-
mounted bronze plaque and bronze table-top sign that
both read E.J. Hickey Co. and a photo of the first staff
of E. J. Hickey’s from 1900 in their original downtown
Detroit location. Also included was a photo of
Henrietta Pierce, Bill’s grandmother and couturiere,
who in 1925 opened Walton-Pierce also in Detroit, the
fashionable women’s store that eventually moved to
Grosse Pointe and later merged with E.J. Hickey’s Co.
Dick Walters stopped by in January and gave us a
hand-made duck-decoy and two fishing lures by Grosse
Pointers Laurence and Louis Reno. The items are
carved and detailed in wood, as well as hand painted.
The brothers lived on Reno Lane many years ago and
enjoyed fishing and duck-hunting on Lake St. Clair.
We hope to display these items for visitors to see later
in the year.
continued from front page
Donnelly can’t wait to get started. “I am delighted to be
working with GPHS. I am so impressed with the
Provencal-Weir House and all that the Society has done
to preserve it,” she said.
“I think the one-room schoolhouse is such a valuable
resource for our children to be able to dress up in period
costume and really ‘feel’ like they are back in time. The
experience will bring history to life and make learning fun
for all of us. The Provencal-Weir house is a tremendous
asset to the Grosse Pointe community and I am proud to
be part of it!”
Donnelly taught at the Grosse Pointe Academy for 14
years. Before that, she was at St. David Elementary
School in Detroit. She is a member of the Theater Arts
Club and Fine Arts Society of Detroit and has been in
numerous plays at the historic Players Playhouse, of
which her grandfather was a member.
The One-room Schoolhouse program gives children the
opportunity to turn back the clock and experience the
classroom as local predecessors did. The second floor of
the Provencal-Weir House, c. 1823, has been transformed
into a one-room schoolhouse, c. 1900, complete with
benches, individual chalkboards and McGuffy Readers.
They will even be able to dress-up in old-fashioned
costumes.
The curriculums replicate what lessons were taught in
the 1900s and show how they are different - and the
same - from lessons taught today. The room can accom-
modate up to 30 students, their teacher, and two parent
volunteers. The school day runs from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30
p.m. Curriculums for the second, third, fourth, and fifth
grades are currently available. Teachers are welcome to
follow these curricula, but are not limited to them. Any
teachers who are interested in bringing their classes
should call the Society at 313-884-7010.
New Teacher at the One-room Schoolhouse
Hickey’s first staff, c. 1900
Pointes of History, May 12
The public and all past plaque recipients are invited to
attend the POINTES OF HISTORY CELEBRATION on
May 12, 2009, 7:00 pm at the Grosse Pointe War
Memorial. It is an opportunity to come share your
knowledge about your property and to learn about other
locations that have played a prominent role in the history
of Grosse Pointe. We will award the 2008-2009 plaques
and recognize all past plaque recipients. A wine and
cheese reception will follow. Please come and share
your history with us. Call the Grosse Pointe Historical
Society, 884-7010, for more information or visit
www.gphistorical.org.