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peter dougherty society
VOLUNTEER INFORMATION
Progress at the Dougherty House
March 9, 2008
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
The Peter Dougherty Society needs volunteers, beginning in late May, to assist a stone mason, Tim Wicksall, in preparing and rebuilding the foundation of the original ice house at the Dougherty-Rushmore House. Once the foundation is restored, volunteers will also be necessary to re-erect an 1890’s ice house from Old Mission which was saved. Volunteers will also be needed to make snacks for the work crew. If you are interested, please call Marty Klein, (231)223-4044.
March 11, 2007
The Peter Dougherty Society which is leading the effort to restore Reverend Dougherty's 1842 historical home and grounds in Old Mission is looking for volunteers to manage the sale of the book, Barns of Old Mission Peninsula and Their Stories written by Evelyn Johnson. Evelyn, a resident of Old Mission Peninsula has generously donated 500 autographed copies of her award winning book. All proceeds from the sale of these books go directly to the restoration effort.
PDS also needs volunteers with experience selling items on EBay who will work with Barb Rowlett's committee which is charged with the responsibility of liquidating selected items from the Dougherty House.
For additional information on either of these volunteer efforts, please contact Rob Manigold, 231-223-8752.
Also watch for the next Dougherty Estate Sale coming this Spring and check out our website at http://www.peterdoughertysociety.com/.
Individuals not currently receiving the Peter Dougherty Society periodic newsletter may do so by giving their email address to Joan Bonney at joanbonney@pentel.net.
January 17, 2007
Since the Peter Dougherty Society and Peninsula Township closed on the Larson property at 18459 Mission Road in Old Mission on July 21, 2006, there has been a lot of activity on the part of you and many of your neighbors.
Jeanne Hannah has designed an attractive and informative web site gratis. Go to www.peterdoughertysociety.org to learn the history and to stay abreast of the on-going story.
Nancy Warne created an excellent video for TV-2 on inventorying and packing artifacts led by Jackie and Paul Burns. It aired several times over the holidays.
Based on the enthusiasm that the Middle Eastern dinner caused, Jerry Ostlund and his committee have already started planning an Irish celebration (in honor of Peter Dougherty) for this year. Please contact Jerry at 223-4836 if you’d like to help with the event.
On December 10, 42 people brought holiday spirit into the Dougherty House for a Christmas Party. Donors of the top two levels of giving enjoyed a rustic celebration with Jerry Ostlund’s repast of quail, venison and wassail along with the lovely guitar music of John Wunsch and Rich Brauer’s beautiful trees.
Barb Rowlett and her committee of Carol Prucha, Mary Ellen Byrne, Susan Fieger, Barb Berthelsen, Cathy Desermia, Carleen and Jim Hilt, Wanda Crampton, and Jeannie Ahart are designating items from the House that are not historically relevant and will liquidate those in a variety of ways to help meet costs of storage. In addition, Jackie and Paul Burns have been working with them with the computer inventory system. The first of many sales will be held in the basement of the Township Hall on January 27th from 9 to 3 . Please enter the building from the rear. There is plenty of parking in front of the building and because parking in the rear is limited, please use that as handicapped parking only.
Bob Rosi continued his work on the application for recognition in the National Historic Site Register and will stay close to the process as it becomes the graduate project of Dennis Caviston. Caviston, who grew up on Old Mission Peninsula, is a candidate for Master of Historic Preservation at Eastern Michigan University where he is a student of Dr. Ted Ligibel. (This program offers a Certificate in Historic Preservation through EMU’s Office at Northwestern Michigan College.) Dr. Ligibel is maintaining an ongoing relationship with the PDS.
A $20,000 grant request written by Bill Cole, was awarded by the Oleson Foundation. It is to be used toward the archeological survey that will begin this Spring.
Dave Charlton produced a very striking and informative brochure that presents the history and the project to best advantage. If you need a copy or copies, contact a board member.
Peter Dougherty Society is now designated a non-profit corporation by the State of Michigan. 501[c](3) status has been requested.
Evelyn Johnson is donating 500 of her Old Mission barn books from the second edition which is expected in early March. Look for them at PDS events or contact a board member to purchase.
Gretchen Soutear has synthesized the information received from her questionnaire as follows:
QUALITATIVE SUMMARY
There clearly was substantial interest in & support of what we are doing from the audience that we reached with nearly a 40% return of the questionnaires.
1. The house should represent & display items from the significant periods of its inhabitance (e.g. Dougherty, Early Farming & Resort Eras) including detail about Peter & Maria & their lives in 1839.
2. Considerable interest was shown in having heirloom flower & herb gardens as well as heirloom farming.
3. Provision should be made for a permanent representation at the site of Native American life before Peter Dougherty arrived.
4. Many recognized the desirability of space for Administration/Museum shop/archival area/classroom but suggested that it be in facility separate from the House &/or perhaps serve all the historic OM sites (log cabin; lighthouse, etc).
5. Numerous people suggested using collaboration with other orgs/sites/people to create greater synergism.
6. Many people want walking paths thru the land with markers identifying flowers/farming/historic info etc, etc.
7. Many feel the focus should be primarily historic and that peripheral activities/facilities should only exist to support the historical aspects.
8. People were very interested in classes in all shapes and forms for adults as well as children.
9. There was considerable concern expressed about our ability to continue to attract/raise funds for this effort.
10. People seemed to be pretty tolerant (within reason) of any activity on site that would raise money for the Peter Dougherty Society because they recognize how difficult that is.
11. Lots of alternatives were suggested on how to continue to raise funds for this project.
More news is in store as the Peter Dougherty Society develops. The hope is for the Dougherty House and grounds to become a viable Old Mission historic treasure alongside the lighthouse, the Hessler log cabin, the Mission Church and the General Store. Our peninsula is indeed unique in that tangible evidence of our rich cultural and agricultural heritage still exists.
Thank you to all of our volunteers!
For information about volunteer opportunities please contact Rob Manigold, Peninsula Township Supervisor, telephone: 231-223-7322 or Bob Dean, telephone: 231-223-7468.
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