Project Name: Historic Apple Island Tour
ABOUT THE APPLICANT
Are you applying as a:
Neighborhood organization or association (such as a non-profit)
What is the organization’s name?
Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society
What neighborhood does the organization serve?
West Bloomfield Township, Orchard Lake, Keego Harbor, Silvan Lake
First and last name?
Christian Sonneville
Twitter Handle
Facebook Handle
gwbhs.org
Instagram Handle
Is the organization a registered 501 (c)3 non-profit?
Yes
ABOUT THE PROJECT
What is the name of the neighborhood where the project will take place? (Please include city/village name too. Example: Mexican Town, Detroit)
Orchard Lake ( Apple Island)
Anticipated project launch date
September 16, 2023
Describe your project idea including: a) Is it a project or event? b) What will you do? c) Where will you do it? d) Who, if any, are your project partners?
The Historic Apple Island is not open to the public. However, in collaboration with the West Bloomfield School District and the City of Orchard Lake, the GWBHS is authorized to take interested residents to the Island on pontoon boats. Once on the Island, participants will be greeted by GWBHS volunteers and a few docents and experience the rich history of this National Treasure.
How will you engage your community in this project?
There is great interest in the unique history of Apple Island, a sanctuary located in the center of Orchard Lake and listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is not open to the public and can only be visited once a year during a guided Apple Island Tour organized by GWBHS. This highly rated and educational event draws 200+ participants to a themed exhibit at our historical museum, which overlooks the island. Guided by docents and volunteers, participants visit the island, learn about and experience the island’s history from its formation during the region’s last ice-age to the presence of Native Peoples to the inhabitation of local settlers to a listed National Register Historic Place.
Project Narrative
The Orchard Lake Museum overlooks the pristine, historic 35-acre island in the middle of the Orchard Lake. Apple Island has a rich history, from its formation during the recession of the region’s last ice-age glacier to the presence of Native Peoples to the inhabitation of local settlers to a sanctuary. Several years ago, Western Michigan University conducted several archeological digs on the Island and unearthed artifacts. GWBHS spearheaded efforts that resulted in the listing of Apple Island as a historic site in the National Register of Historic Places in 2018. The island is owned by the West Bloomfield School District. To protect the sanctuary, it is not open to the public. 2nd graders of the West Bloomfield School District visit the Island once a year, made possible by a collaborating effort of the West Bloomfield School District and GWBHS’s volunteer docents.
There is great interest by our residents and the public in general in the unique history of this now uninhabited historic island. The only way the general public is able to visit the island is during the yearly Apple Island Tours event. In collaboration with the City of Orchard Lake, the West Bloomfield School District, Orchard Lake Schools and West Bloomfield Parks & Rec, GWBHS has organized yearly Apple Island Tours for many years. The event is highly educational and starts with a visit to our Historical Museum for presentations by our docents and viewing of artifacts. Our overarching goal is to educate and stimulate interest in our local history, by exposing young and old to our unique history. The visit to the island is an unforgettable educational experience. h
The COVID-19 pandemic put a temporary stop to these tours, and because of the high interest in this program, GWBHS created and offered virtual visits to Apple Island. With the pandemic behind us, GWBHS is planning for a Themed Museum Open House and Associated Apple Island Tours event. This 2-day event is scheduled to take place in September 2023.
Admission to the event is first come first serve. After registration, participants are guided through our museum and along outdoor exhibits and on Apple Island. Member volunteers and docents are available to educate participants about Apple Island’s history. In collaboration with the West Bloomfield School District and the City of Orchard Lake, participants are then shuttled to a nearby dock on Orchard Lake and transported to the Island on pontoon boats. Once on the Island, participants are greeted by volunteers and docents and invited to a self-guided tour. Along the walking path, participants can make stops and meet Genot Picor and Mi-kwan-dahn Jewell, both Native American Docents, and learn about Native American life on the island, traditions, music and stories. Mikwandahn Jewell shares Anishinaabe “Gift of Fire” stories. These are lessons in the form of stories taught by the native elders. Participants also visit archeological sites on the island before returning to the museum. At the museum, young and old can experience archeological digging for Native American arrow heads and other artifacts in our large sand-filled activities box.
This program is a very important local event and draws many local residents, the general public and passers-by, who want to experience our local history and Apple Island’s history. We expect that visitors will get a better appreciation of the value of the Historical Society and that some will decide to become members.
The program is very labor intensive and requires a lot of advance planning, coordinating and organizing primarily by our member volunteers.
Financing of this valuable program is by donations at registration and by a $500 sponsor. Based on past experience we expect around 200 participants and a revenue of around $3,500 that may vary depending on the weather conditions. Unfortunately, the expenses exceed the revenue of the program, which is the reason why we are requesting Bridge Grant support. The Society’s expenses associated with the event consist primarily of wages of shuttle bus drivers and pontoon boat operators during a 2-day weekend event. Other expenses include Event Liability Insurance, docent travel and stipends, food and refreshments for our volunteers, some supplies and event advertisement. There will be significant in-kind time donations by volunteer docents and by two dozen member volunteers to prepare and organize the program in terms of customizing museum displays, setting up outdoor signs, reception/welcoming tents and tables. There will be volunteers to greet, help and guide visitors in the parking lot, at the museum and on the island, including at the shuttle and pontoon boat boarding and de-boarding locations.
Evaluation
At the conclusion of the visit and before leaving, attendees will be asked to provide written feedback on the value and quality of what they learned and experienced during the event. The brief survey will also encourage participants to make recommendations or suggestions for improvement.
The GWBHS Apple Island Program Committee will review the responses and other findings to continue to improve our services.
How will the project celebrate the neighborhood’s diversity? Diversity can include different ages, races, cultures, socio-economic statuses, abilities, and more.
The event is open to all local residents, young and old, and all passers-by interested in history.
How do you plan to spend the $1,000 microgrant? Please list and explain the items, services, fees, expertise, etc. that you plan to purchase.
The grant will be used to pay for supplies and to pay for the docents.
Will your project require special permits?
No
Are you the owner of the property where the project/event will occur?
Rachel’s Notes
Reviewed on 3.15.23. Confirmed member status as Orchard Lake.
ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD’S NEEDS
Why does your neighborhood need this project?
There is great interest by our local residents to experience the Island. This event is the only opportunity for our local residents to visit this local Historic Island which is normally closed to the public.
What do you hope to achieve through this project? Be as specific as possible!
Fulfill our Mission which is to share our local history with our residents.
What resources do you already have to make this project successful? Resources could include things like time, partners, expertise, donated goods/materials/space, matching funds, and more.
Preparations have been made and there are at least 2 dozen Historical Society volunteers and a few docents ready to undertake this special event.
IMAGE UPLOADS
Image Caption 1 (if any): Areal view of Historic Apple Island in the middle of Orchard Lake
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Image Caption 2 (if any): Apple Island is in the National Register of Historic places
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Image Caption 3 (if any): Visitors interested in History are taken to the Island by pontoon boats
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Image Caption 4 (if any): Native American Docents are telling stories about their ancestors who lived on the island.
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Image Caption 5 (if any): Digging for artifacts by students of WMU.
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