Genesee County Historical Society

06/16/2026

Zoinks! Thomas Henthorn and Phillip Thompson of The University of Michigan-Flint fired up 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙃𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙈𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚 for the first episode of Built for Belief. They dropped by St. Paul's Episcopal Church to hear firsthand from archivist Walt Peake about the 150+ year history of one of downtown Flint’s most iconic institutions.

Built for Belief is a new video story series which explores Flint's faith-based institutions and how they have impacted the city's history.

06/15/2026

𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙂𝙖𝙧𝙮 𝙁𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙂𝘾𝙃𝙎 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙣𝙩:

Well now, that was an absolutely EPIC event!! I’ve never been prouder to be the president of the Genesee County Historical Society than I was last night! At our annual Heritage Day celebration, we honored six new inductees into our History Maker Hall of Fame.

These six individuals have impacted, not only our community and culture, but indeed the entire country. Last night we presented our History Maker awards to Dr. Bobby Mukkumala, Geena Gall Levoe, Sue Novara Reber, Pam Stockton Brady, Jim Ananich, and Ken Morrow.

We were also honored to receive a personal message from Robert F Kennedy Jr. on behalf of the United States of America. The achievements of these individuals in our community are so outsized that it’s often hard to properly articulate their impact. But we certainly gave it our best effort last night!

Many thanks to all of our GCHS MEMBERS, attendees and especially our GCHS board members who helped to put on one helluva great show last night. And finally, of course, to our History Maker honorees, you truly make our community proud!

06/13/2026

If you were a member, you’d have your new issue of 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏 already! As a member you’ll receive the following perks and privileges:

• Our quarterly e-newsletter, 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒏
• 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑯𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒂𝒏, our bi-annual magazine, mailed direct to you
• Priority notification of all Society events
• Opportunities to participate in events not available to the general public
• Access to experts, authors, historians via our regular talks and programs
• A 10% discount on our merchandise

𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀:
• Individual: $30 (Any single individual)
• Couple: $50 (Any two individuals joining or on same application)
• Family: $100 (All household members)
• Patron: $100 (Those who wish to provide GCHS extra support)
• Historical Societies: $75
• The Durant Club: $250

𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗨𝗽:
https://www.geneseehistory.org/store/c5/Memberships.html

06/11/2026

This week's stormy weather reminded us we had the 73rd anniversary of the Beecher Tornado on June 8th. Did your family experience the tornado? Do you think this is the most iconic Flint The Flint Journal cover ever?

06/11/2026

You know Reese Jones Bar was rocking in the 1950s when Jimmie McClain and His Dude Ranch Hands were in the joint! Reese Jones was located on Union St. just west of Saginaw; the buildings were cleared decades ago to make way for the new Citizens Bank Tower. Does anyone remember the bar, the band, Uncle Ezra, Ned Walling, or Dusty & Deano?

06/10/2026

Who remembers Playland Arcade?

Michigan's first video arcade may be gone, but don't ya think it deserves some sort of recognition? Here's some info...

06/08/2026

Anyone remember Charley's Barber Shop on Dort Highway? From the cars reflected in the window this postcard dates to about 1950. The back shares their offerings - 75 years later the Latin Trim is back in style!
Downtown had The Capitol Barbershop and Uptown Barbershops for decades, and Evelyn Angel Salon in the Capitol. Where did your family get their haircuts?

06/05/2026

Save the date!

Join Buckham Alley Theatre as we jump back to a Greek Comedy! We will be presenting this show OUTSIDE the - so bring a chair or a blanket to come see this hilarious comedy. We recommend 18+ for this production there are some adult topics. Tickets can be purchased at BuckhamTheatre.org

📸 Credit: Calvin Ito

06/02/2026

Tickets now available for the summer's swankiest soiree, the Annual Heritage Dinner! Join us on Friday, June 12, at the Genesys Conference Center as we celebrate six history makers:

-Jim Ananich

- Ken Morrow

- Sue Novara-Reber

- Geena Gall Levoe

- Dr. Bobby Mukkamala

- Pam Stockton Brady

More information and tickets at:

https://www.geneseehistory.org/annual-heritage-dinner-2026

06/01/2026

Flint Technical High School was created in 1939 as a trade and vocational education school for students from across the city. With just 400 students it was the smallest high school in Flint, but one that enjoyed incredible loyalty from its students. This photo captures a protest downtown when it was announced Tech would be closing. Alas, the students were not successful and the school was shuttered in 1959. Located on Hamilton at North Saginaw, Dort Elementary was built on the site.