Community
Chesterfield Township Historical Society
In March, 1993, a group of residents interested
in forming a Historical Society met at the Municipal
Offices to discuss the possibility. On April
24, 1994, the Chesterfield Township Historical
Society was incorporated in the State of Michigan as
a non-profit organization. On March 13, 1999,
the Society received tax-exempt status as a
nonprofit organization under Section 501(c) (3) from
the Federal Internal Revenue Service, which means
that contributions to our organization can be
deductible for Federal Income Tax purposes.
In 1995, the Charter Township of Chesterfield
Board of Trustees donated a portion of land on the
municipal site on which to develop a historical
park. The intent was to move the old township hall
and other historical buildings and begin developing
the site as funds became available. Unfortunately,
the historical township hall was destroyed by an
arsonist prior to moving it. However in August
of1996, the Odrobina Family donated the Weller
School to the Historical Society. This one-room
school originally stood at 22 Mile and Gratiot
Avenue for many years. As the first building to the
park the Historical Society has been diligently
rehabilitating the school. It is the Historical
Society’s intention to give the school districts
serving Chesterfield Township an opportunity for a
one room school educational experience for students.
Between 2005 and 2009 an annex was added to the
rear of the school that includes a handicap
bathroom, a furnace room to supply heat to the
school, and a small kitchen. A ramp was built on the
side of the school to make it handicap accessible.
In 2006 a log cabin, a cobblers shop and a
working blacksmith shop along with two outhouses
were added to the grounds.
The Historical Society is currently engaged in
holding fundraisers for the purpose of finalizing
plans to build a hipped roof barn to store and
display our many antique items.
The Chesterfield Township Historical Society is
always accepting and welcoming new membership.
For more information or to join the Historical
Society please contact:
Chesterfield Township Historical Society
47275 Sugarbush
Chesterfield, MI 48047
(586) 949-0400
Or you may contact:
Roy & Eileen Rivard
(586) 749-3713
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