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 hours at the Northwood Fire Station
The Royal Oak Historical Museum is currenty closed to the general public, as we unpack after our move from the Churchill Community Center. We are currently finishing up construction projects on the fire station, and creating a new exhibition hall. Volunteers hours are: Tuesdays 1pm to 5pm - Thursdays 2pm until 6pm - Saturdays 11am to 4pm. 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.
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.
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 Arvin- Architect)
(Frank Arvin- Architect)
Fire
tower
door
sealed
to
enclose
elevator.
New elevator entrance, on main floor.
Installed
elevator lift, on the main floor.
Hoist installed on the second floor.
Almost finished
Mid-November, 2009
Handicaped
lavatory.
Exterior
of
the
handicaped
and women's lavatories.
Men's
room
on
the
first
floor, located
behind
the
staircase.
The move January 2010
Volunteers begin clean up and preparation of new exhibits
Beth
Girling
and
Megan
Keller
cleaning
Painting the
cieling 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