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History of the Royal Oak Historical Society Museum

The Royal Oak Historical Society museum was located within the Churchill Community Center in Royal Oak, from 2005-2009. In January of 2010, it was moved to the Northwood Fire Station on Webster at Crooks road. Continuing renovations to the fire station, the construction of new exhibits, cataloging and organizing of the collections will continue throughout 2010. 



   Exhibits at the Churchill Community Center.


                    Museum visitors                                Portable exhibit                           Owen Perkins talks to visitors



Museum hours at the Northwood Fire Station

   1- 4 pm- Tuesday, Thursday,
      and Saturday
1- 4 pm the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.

Should you have items to donate to the museum or wish to volunteer you may contact Muriel by phone at 248.439.1501 or via email at mversagi@versagivoice.com

Please call the museum for directions.



The Northwood Fire Station
Royal Oak Historical Society Museum


The Northwood Fire Station was opened in1928, seven years after The Village of Royal Oak became a city. Built at a cost of $65,000 it was the best city owned building for many years. The building site located at the corner of Webster and Crooks roads was donated by the Northwood Development Association, and the building was designed by their architects.

Lieutenant George cook was the first to take charge of the station with Lieutenant Frank Winter second in command. A 1923 American LaFrance pumper and a new 1928 Dodge truck were moved into the station and five firemen were assigned to each unit. A Gamewell fire alarm system was installed with alarm boxes and telephone system.

Northwoods fire district included answering alarms west of Rochester Road, from Catalpa to 14 Mile, all alarms north of Catalpa to the city line, and all alarms west of Woodward from Webster to 14 Mile Road.
                    
    




                  Fire station interior- July, 2009.  Before construction begins.                                

 





Fire Station under construction- October to early November, 2009


                   
                            Chuck Bennett of Bloom Construction                              New sidewalks at the south enterance.    
                            (Frank Arvan- Architect)             
                                                                                                                                                                              
  
                                   Fire tower door sealed to enclose elevator.                   New elevator entrance, on main floor.            

                                    
        
                 New construction on the second floor landing.                   
      

Almost finished Mid-November, 2009

  
                                             Future "media room", the woodwork being stripped by Royal Oak Boy Scouts.

          
                           Stairway, main floor with walled off tower door.                  Main floor with newly installed elevator door.

     
                                             Second floor elevator door.                            Changes to the second floor landing.
 
            
                                                                   Exterior of the handicaped and women's lavatories.                                                
                                           

       
The Incredible Move January 2010

     
Professional Movers Inc.  trucks arrive packed with museum furniture and artifacts.

    
The Professional Movers crew and many Historical Society volunteers get busy.

       

     
Many thanks to our volunteers and Andrew Androff from Professional Movers Inc. for a successful move.


Volunteers begin clean up and preparation of new exhibits
  
 
        Beth Girling and Megan Keller cleaning              Painting the ceiling of the media room.       Johanna Schurrer painting exhibit case.
          exhibit case.                                                                     (Roy & Paul Painting & Decorating)                   

Photography of construction contributed by-
Dennis Elliot, professional photographer. 248.635.7265
                              Email: dennis@delliottphotography.com                              
                                       (Thank you Dennis for your generous help)                                                  
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