Jessica Mathews / news@whmi.com


The Tyrone Township Historical Society Book Committee has received the DAR Excellence in Historic Preservation Award for its publication released back in March.

DAR of Michigan bestowed the honor for the publication “A Backward Glance: A Journey Through Tyrone Township, Livingston County, Michigan”.

The Excellence in Historic Preservation Award recognizes individuals and groups that promote historic preservation in their communities. Michigan State Regent Dawn Moulthrop Brady and Historic Preservation State Chair Barbara Novak presented the award to the book committee at the Philip Livingston Chapter, NSDAR’s 117th birthday luncheon on June 3rd.

Book committee members, Joan Runyan (chairman), Lisa Davenport, Connie Foley, Bethany Hammond, Linda Painter, Emma Winegarner, and Lynette Winegarner spent the better part of two years researching, writing, and shepherding the text through the publication process.

Each member brought different experience: working with people, publishing, book design, sketching, photography, researching, and writing. Stories, photographs, and family documents were abundantly shared by members of the community and people with ties to the community. Committee members were available to help individuals write their stories.

A Backward Glance builds on the society’s earlier publication, Tyrone Revisited (1976), taking readers on a journey through the township’s farms, homes, families, memories, and hidden gems.

“The Township” follows the development of the township from March 6, 1838 to the present and includes roads, churches, cemeteries, schools, and businesses. “Hidden Gems” explores popular places from the past and some little-known current ones. “Farms, Homes, and Families” presents essays of the families that settled the township and some of the township’s more recent arrivals. “We Remember” is a collection of essays recalling events of the township’s past.

“Meet Our Neighbors” introduces people who lived nearby and were influential to the township’s history. “Trees of Tyrone” takes a detailed look at 174 local families that the committee was able to verify using vital records and other historical documents. “The Post Script” contains transcriptions and images of some of the fascinating items the committee uncovered during its research including Frank Dodds’ diaries of 1901 and 1902, an essay written by beloved resident, Connie Allmand Powell, and a walking tour of Parshallville, Michigan, a village that straddles the township line between Tyrone and Hartland.

The Tyrone Township Historical Society was founded in 1975 to preserve the history of the township. In 1976 they published Tyrone Revisited, and have been serving the township ever since. More information about the Historical Society and A Backward Glance is available in the provided link.

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is a women’s service organization founded in 1890 to preserve the memory and spirit of those who contributed to securing American independence. For more than 130 years, the DAR has strived to bring awareness to the honorable sacrifices and enduring legacy of all patriots who fought for America’s freedom. DAR is a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization with more than 185,000 members in approximately 3,000 chapters worldwide. Any woman 18 years or older, regardless of race, religion, or ethnic background, who can prove lineal descent from a patriot of the America Revolution is eligible for membership.


Photos:

-Book cover courtesy of the Tyrone Township Historical Society

-Book Committee photo courtesy of Karen McNally. Left to right: Michigan State Regent Dawn Moulthrop Brady, Book Committee Chairman Joan Runyan, Lisa Davenport, Connie Foley, Bethany Hammond, Emma Winegarner, Lynette Winegarner, and State Historic Preservation Chair Barbara Novak.