Executive Director: Mike McGuinness Our Society is excited to announce Mike McGuinness as our new Executive Director. The Board of Directors voted at their June 2019 meeting to hire McGuinness and he began in that capacity in July 2019. Most recently, McGuinness was working for the federal government on the staff of Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence. He served as Campaign Manager and Finance Director in her previous federal campaigns as well.
JOIN US! You know you want to! Why Join? Well… Because we rock Oakland County history. Because our research library contains information that’s literally not available anywhere else. Because we’re a great group of people. We have a mansion. A MANSION. Because the mansion is expensive to maintain. And because preserving local history is our passion, and sharing it with you is what we love to do. We simply can’t
Dedicated volunteers are crucial to the success of OCPHS! Volunteers give literally thousands of hours each year, serving as guides, librarians, carpenters, gardeners, office workers, and event helpers, among other duties. Our volunteer Board of Directors manages the organization and ensures that we promote and preserve Pine Grove and Oakland County history. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us for more information about how you may donate
Our volunteer Board of Directors manages the organization and oversees our mission of promoting and preserving Pine Grove and Oakland County history. Board members are elected for three year terms at the Annual Meeting in May. Officers are selected by the Board and serve for one year terms. The Board meets once a month in the Carriage House on alternating Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings. All members are welcome to
The Society, founded in 1874, originally resolved “to collect and preserve things of the past, present, and future appertaining to the county which will delight and instruct the present and future inhabitants.” Over time, the mission and activity of the Society has become more focused. We provide educational and cultural experiences through our four main attractions: The Governor Moses Wisner homestead, known as Pine Grove. The Drayton Plains One Room
We are a non-profit, member-based, 501(c)3 organization not affiliated with any governmental unit. Our work is supported by modest annual membership dues, program fees, corporate and grant support, and tax-deductible donations. Membership is open to anyone with an interest in promoting and preserving the county’s history. Learn more about the society’s history, mission, board, and activities.
On Wednesday, February 22, 1860, a meeting of the “Old Settlers” of Oakland County was held at the Court House on Saginaw Street in Pontiac. They met to hear an address by the Honorable Thomas J. Drake on the early history of the county. However, it was not until September 1874 that another meeting was held at the Court House. At this time, the “Old Settlers” voted to resolve themselves