Rochester-Avon Historical Society

08/15/2026

A quick glance at a map of upstate New York and it is not difficult to recognize that many of the early settlers to the area we call home in Michigan came from this region. The locales here gave birth to the name’s of many of the towns in suburban Detroit. These include Bloomfield, West Bloomfield, Auburn (Hills), Livonia, Farmington, Utica, Troy, Avon, Rochester, and others. But few towns have as close of a connection to Rochester/Avon’s early pioneers as East Bloomfield, New York. On a recent trip, the RAHS’s Chris Brown took a walk through the historic town square of East Bloomfield, New York into the old East Bloomfield Cemetery to find some very unique connections to the pioneer origins of our hometown. See photo captions for details.

07/20/2026

Rochester Salon: Orchards & Cider Mills

Join us for an evening of casual conversations about memories of the Greater Rochester area in autumn and the history of growing fresh fruit and the experience of going to a cider mill. Bring photos and share your memories! Open to the public. Free for RAHS members. There is a suggested $5 donation for nonmembers. RSVP by emailing us at [email protected] or call us and leave a message at 248-266-5440 or RSVP online at: https://www.rochesteravonhistoricalsociety.org/calendar/rahs-salon-orchards-cider-mills/

Photo: Rochester Farm located at 2035 Walton Blvd. (Pontiac Rd.). C. 1942-1948. Photo: Eric Bothwell

06/09/2026

There's a celebration at Cranberry Lake Farm on Flag Day, Sunday June 14! Join us and our friends at the Oakland Township Historic District Commission in celebrating 250 years of the United States.

05/29/2026

There’s a new local history exhibit you should see!

The Underground Railroad in Oakland County exhibit is now in place for the whole month of June at the Paint Creek Cider Mill in Goodison, Oakland Township. Come check it out! M-F 8-4:30.

05/22/2026

Here’s the latest from the school board about the former high school and RCS administration building at 501 W. University. One clarification: The oldest building on the property dates to 1889. However, the property has been the site of a school since 1847 with a Lyceum, the name of a type of school built in the 19th century. It burned in a fire in the 1880s and was replaced by the current brick building known as the Harrison School, which was listed on the State of Michigan’s register of historic places in 1987.

The district left the W. University complex and moved their administration offices to 52585 Dequindre Road in 2021.

05/22/2026

Don’t forget! The Greater Rochester Heritage Festival is coming up! We’re proud to support this community tradition!

Once again, the Rochester-Avon Historical Society is supporting the festival as a Settler level sponsor!

05/14/2026

Our entry in the Deck Art competition is #142. A piece honoring Rochester history can be yours! Thanks to Carla G. for her great design! Visit downtownrochestermi.com for info.

05/14/2026

Thank you to RAHS Research Committee Chair, Deborah Larsen, for writing this terrific article about the WWII Honor Roll restoration for Chronicle, a magazine for members of the Historical Society of Michigan. We hope you enjoy reading it!