Taylor Historical Society member Sheri Engelbrink talks about a Victrola from the 1900s housed in the Taylor Historical Museum.
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
TAYLOR – If you want to learn about local history but lack a time machine, head to Heritage Park, where Historical Society members will help you take a peek into the past.
During a May 16 open house, the restored Knope House, which once stood at Beech Daly south of Northline Road, is now situated at Heritage Park, where it serves as the city’s historical museum.
Sheri Engelbrink, secretary of the Taylor Historical Society, said the museum has vintage games for both display and hands-on playing during the open house, which they also use with schoolchildren when they are on site for programs.
She said the 1926 farmhouse was moved to Heritage Park in 2000 from its original location when the farmland that once surrounded it became part of the Lakes of Taylor golf course.
Taylor Historical Society Trustee Tom McNutt said his family has a 200-year history in Taylor, and he became involved with local historical work through volunteer cemetery cleanups.
He said he likes the city’s rich history.
“A lot of that history still exists and is documented in the park here as they saved these buildings,” McNutt said. “There are a lot of people, such as the society members, who appreciate that past and research it and spend their time showing it to others, which keeps it alive.
“So, we are lucky that we have a lot of people that appreciate it enough to preserve it for the future.”
He said open houses at the Historical Museum also recruit new members, and with more volunteers, they can open the buildings to the public more often.
For more information about the Taylor Historical Society, go to TaylorMichiganHistoricalSociety.org, see their Facebook page, or contact them at [email protected].
Games for hands-on playing are on display inside the Taylor Historical Museum during an open house May 16.
The former Knope Farm House, which was moved to Heritage Park to become the Taylor Historical Museum, hosts an open house May 16.
Above and below, items from a bygone era on are display in the Taylor Historical Museum in Heritage Park.
Above and below, items from a bygone era on are display in the Taylor Historical Museum in Heritage Park.
Above and below, items from a bygone era on are display in the Taylor Historical Museum in Heritage Park.
