NORTHVILLIAN
BICENTENNIAL PREP EDITION
Over the past few years, scores of Northvillians have engaged on various task forces for the betterment of our community. Thanks to their efforts, major initiatives are coming to fruition in our “Hamlet in the Hills” or “Switzerland of Wayne County” we call Northville. These groups are supported by the City Council and have accomplished milestone achievements:
- Nancy Darga’s (Citizen of the Year) Riverwalk Task Force supported the River Park which recently won the “mPark Park of the Year” in the state of Michigan.
- The Farmers’ Market Group selected an optimum site across from Custard Time on Seven Mile Road for the Chambers Award-Winning Farmers Market
- The Ford Field Task Force has done tremendous work on the Playscape which opened last week. Other Ford Field successes include the waterfall at Serenity Point, the Overlook Vista / ADA Gateway, the soon-to-be-built bathroom facility and (we are hoping) a cooling water park.
Most of these initiatives are connected to our river pathways. And it is these rivers which put our Village on the map as one of the first Milling areas in the State, eventually becoming an industrial standout through the use of hydro-power.
Today, Northville is ideally situated to provide connections with the various pathways running up and down our State. In fact, it will be one of the last connectors intertwining trails going South to Ohio and North to Mackinaw City.
Needless to say, I am ENTHUSED about the future and the events planned by the Bicentennial Task Force for next year!
BICENTENNIAL TASK FORCE - Rick Sharpe Chair
Northville is one of the oldest communities in the State, incorporated a decade before Michigan was part of the Union. Because of our four rivers, we were one of the first Milling areas nationally and later on, we had one of the first Foundries in Michigan, too. Continued progress led us to being #2 in the State in production during the Industrial Revolution era.
Northville’s growth coincided with the Victorian era (Queen Victoria reigned from 1837-1901) and resulted in Northville having an abundance of Victorian homes on the National Registry.
Most notably, for our Centennial gathering in 1927, we had the largest celebration in Michigan history up to that time – see parade link … It’s now time for all of us to engage and support our Bicentennial coming next year. In this newsletter I will share what is being done for our Bicentennial and how citizens can actively engage.
THIS PAST WEEK, Northville was a buzz with dedications for Ford Field Playscape (Link), the first roundabout in Wayne County (Link), and the Downs River Park ribbon-cutting (Link).
BEFORE LOOKING AT BICENTENIAL PREP ACTIVITIES, LETS SEE WHAT’S HAPPENING TODAY…
- FORD FIELD - The Playscape has had hundreds of youths and families enjoying this placemaking area since its ribbon cutting a little over a week ago. So, come out and sit on its rock benches and see the activity of life happening.
- RIVERWALK – The Downs Section of the Riverwalk opened last week across from the Chamber’s award-winning Farmer’s Market. Stop by Custard Time and then walk around the park, noticing the intricate attention to detail – the stonework, the pedestrian bridges and the artistry of the abutment work. It’s amazing that the river was underground just 10 months ago… now it has over 1400 trees where there where none before. Countless native plants are lining its banks, making it an outstanding ecosystem for our fish population, which the Friends of the Rouge verified just last week that 9 different species are flourishing there.
- DOWNS INITIATIVE – The 1st Roundabout for traffic management on 7 Mile & Sheldon had its ribbon cutting recently and is delivering (as promised) better ingress/egress of traffic in the area.
- NORTHVILLE COMMUNITY MARKET AREA – Farmers’ Market every Thursday. Car Show there 2nd Saturdays 8AM-10AM (Next one July 11th)
- GRANTS that Support Northville’s Initiatives (Over $17.6M)–Link
TASK FORCE MEETINGS
- Bicentennial Task Force Mtg – 7/15/26, 7PM City Hall (Rick Sharpe – Chair)
- ¾Additional ways to be involved will be posted soon. To support: Link
- Cemetery Renewal Task Force Mtg – 7/13/26, 7PM City Hall (Dave Marold–Chair)
- ¾SeeLinkfor information or Linkto donate/support.
Bicentennial Way Forward Plan
Celebration Elements – FOUR major weekends next summer with festivities that include: Lumberjack Shows, Fireworks, a Drone exhibition, an Antique Car show, displays of our 1927 Firetruck and Stinson Airplane built in Northville, a Bounce Village, Trolley tours, plus concerts staged at Ford Field and many other events there and at our historic Mill Race Village.
Events / Parades – Victorian Festival & Parade, 4th of July Parade & Mill Race Activities.
Tours / Concerts – Walking Tours, Trolley History Tours, Self-Guided tours (for Northville History, Victorian Architecture, Historic Mill Tour, Mill Race Village), Concerts at Ford Field.
History Markers – 27 bronze plaques / graphic panels at significant historical sites for tours.
Northville Movie – Production of an official movie to be shown at the Marquis, PBS & other Social Media outlets is in the works, capturing the excitement & activity of the Northville community historically.
The Cemetery Restoration Team (David Marold – Chair) – This Task Force is dedicated to restoring & preserving our cemeteries as sacred spaces that honor our ancestors, safeguard history, & connect our community to its heritage through sustainable care & thoughtful improvement. In 2025 they cleaned 316 tombstones & repaired 129 others – They could double those numbers this year!
Banners & Signage/ Social Media … Links will be provided soon for all participants.
Partnerships/Sponsorships – Corporate partners are supporting Northville’s Bicentennial, including Consumers Energy, Northville Lumber, Henry Ford Health, Royal Truck & Trailer, GVSB Orsa Credit Union, Comcast, Salem Hills Golf Club, Hunter Pasteur, Toll Brothers, General RV, Metrotech & Mayflower Towing, Schoolcraft College, the Exchange Bar & Grill along with others.
WE ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT
The last piece of the 200 Year birthday party for Northville’s Bicentennial Task Force is commissioning a large commemorative art piece for the newly renovated Ford Field that will include the names of 200 families or individuals who are supporting the many community activities not funded by sponsorships for our Bicentennial. Many have already committed and/or submitted their $2K contribution (tax deductible) – and their names will be on a bronze plaque on this monument which will be built with a time capsule inside … yours could be, too! So, consider being part of the “THE BICENTENNIAL 200” by reaching out to me directly (cell or email, shown below) or for additional info or to donate directly, check out this Link.
I thank each and every one of you that have been involved in the tremendous initiatives that have come to fruition in the past couple weeks, thanks to the efforts of the Ford Field Task Force, Mobility Team, River Park Restoration Group, the Log Cabin Gang, Cemetery Team, & the Farmers’ Market Task Force, along with our 27 boards & commissions & others who are truly making a difference for all Northvillians.
Keep that Northville Bicentennial Faith!
Brian Turnbull, Mayor – Northville