What’s New at the Ferndale Historical Museum?

(C. Proxmire, Oct. 29, 2012)

There’s always lots to explore at the Ferndale Historical Museum, located at 1651 Livernois.  And now there are some new items worth stopping in to take a look at.

When you walk in the most noticeable addition is the large mural of “George Washington’s Farewell Address” on the South wall.  The mural may look familiar.  It hung on the top of the steps of City Hall from 1976 to 2011, before the City Hall remodeling.  The mural was a gift to the City from the Ferndale Kiwanis Club and artist Vincent Lipovsky, whose work appeared in other public places in the 60s and 70s, including inside Field’s Department Store.

The quote, by George Washington in a Philadelphia newspaper from Sept. 19, 1796, says “You have in a common cause fought and triumphed together.  The independence and liberty you possess are the work of joint efforts, of common dangers, sufferings and successes.”  The mural was in commemoration of the Nation’s bicentennial celebration.

According to Jean Spang, editor of The Crow’s Nest newsletter, the mural had been discarded by the City and was discovered in a contractor’s warehouse after the remodeling.

Another interesting new addition is the Ferndale Police Panda Mascot costume, which was worn for over 30 years in the Memorial Day Parade by resident Sandy Ungerman.  Ungerman stopped wearing the costume in the parade when the parade committee decided that only solemn participants would be allowed.  The costume is now an adorable piece of Ferndale’s history.

A picture from the St. James School has also made its way into the collection.  The class picture from 1941 has a new home among other St. James artifacts.  “We are always looking for more St. James items,” Spang said.  “When they closed the school, they just threw everything out without thinking that it is history.”

But it isn’t just old items that are new at the Historical Museum.  The Museum recently received a grant from the Ferndale Community Foundation to purchase locking cabinets to keep their historical records in.  The Museum has binders with information on every property in the city, so people can come in and find out more about their home or their favorite Ferndale locations.  Unfortunately, Spang explained, people tend to walk off with the records.  Recently several yearbooks came up missing after a class reunion tour of the Museum.  With locking cabinets it better protects those items.

Of course there is plenty more to see and learn about the City and its history.  Stop in for a visit, or check them out online at http://ferndalehistoricalsociety.org/.  Admission is free. Donations are gratefully accepted.  Hours are: