Hadley Township Historical Society

09/02/2026

The Hadley Township Historical Society will offer an Evening Program presented by Hadley author Judith Eick on Thursday September 3. Under the pen name Nelle Cooper, Ms. Eick has published a heart-warming story set right here in Lapeer, Michigan where the former Oakdale State Home once stood. Her novel titled “Nowhere To Go But Tomorrow” follows the life a young resident of the state home and shines a compassionate light on a part of our community's history. Join us and learn what Judy discovered while researching this story.

Please join us at the Hadley Township Offices, 4293 Pratt Road. Doors open at 6:30; program from 7:00 to about 8:30pm. This event is open to the public, all ages including children. No admission fee, but donations are appreciated. Pre-registration is not required.
For questions email us at [email protected] .
Image from Lapeer District Library Archives. Source Leroy Mabery

Image from Lapeer District Library Archives. Source Leroy Mabery .

08/28/2026

The Hadley Township Historical Society will offer an Evening Program presented by Hadley author Judith Eick on Thursday September 3. Under the pen name Nelle Cooper, Ms. Eick has published a heart-warming story set right here in Lapeer, Michigan where the former Oakdale State Home once stood. Her novel titled “Nowhere To Go But Tomorrow” follows the life a young resident of the state home and shines a compassionate light on a part of our community's history. Join us and learn what Judy discovered while researching this story.

Please join us at the Hadley Township Offices, 4293 Pratt Road. Doors open at 6:30; program from 7:00 to about 8:30pm. This event is open to the public, all ages including children. No admission fee, but donations are appreciated. Pre-registration is not required.

For questions email us at [email protected] .

Image from Lapeer District Library Archives. Source Leroy Mabery .

08/26/2026

It’s time for PORK & PLAID! Giant Pumpkin Drop and Rubber Duck Race added!

Once again join your neighbors at the Hadley Mill Museum for music, food and fun. Wear your plaid and have a pulled pork sandwich. Food will be available by donation and starts at 5pm. Music by Dave Lagness starts at 6 pm. Bring your lawn chairs. This is a free event. Donations appreciated.

Who's got the biggest Giant Pumpkin? To enter the contest and to find the rules follow this link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/15bPzr0Wyf4ZYIcF980x5v-uQMhYbS3Yo0wDxANyQnwo/viewform?edit_requested=true . The biggest pumpkin will be dropped at 7:00. Then gather some seeds so you can enter next year.

The Rubber Duck Race starts at 6:30. Pick your lucky ducky out of the 50 available and maybe you'll be the winner!

For Kids it’s “hands on” at the toy display in the Museum and toys on the front lawn. Come see an elegant 1923 Jewett automobile. Explore the workings of the Mill and three floors of local history.

Friday September 18 from 4pm to 8pm at the Hadley Mill Museum 3363 Hadley Road, Hadley MI. In case of rain the event will be held at the Old Town Hall 3532 Hadley Road.

08/22/2026

The Hadley Township Historical Society will offer an Evening Program presented by local author Judith Eick on Thursday September 3. Under the pen name Nelle Cooper, Ms. Eick has published a novel about a young resident of the Lapeer State Home titled “Nowhere To Go But Tomorrow”. She will share with us what she learned in researching this book.

Please join us at the Hadley Township Offices, 4293 Pratt Road. Doors open at 6:30; program from 7:00 to about 8:30pm. This event is open to the public, all ages including children. No admission fee, but donations are appreciated. Pre-registration is not required.

For questions email us at [email protected] .

Image from Lapeer District Library Archives. Source Leroy Mabery .

08/18/2026

There will be a lot going on Thursday August 20th in Hadley. Come to Hadley for a delicious Spaghetti Dinner prepared by the Hadley Lions Club at the Old Town Hall for $9 Seniors, $10 Adults. Then stroll down to Hartwig Park to see the Hadley Mill Museum, the Covered Bridge and the NEW Slide. No fee for the Museum. What a deal!

Don’t forget the Hadley Library is open on Thursday evenings until 7:00.

While at the Museum ask about the Hadley Oral History Project. Representatives will be on-site to answer your questions about this important project. The purpose of the Project is to collect stories and memories about living in Hadley Township (Elba Township too) by interviewing those who live or have lived in this area.

The Mill Museum is open Thursday August 20 from 4:30 - 8 pm at 3633 Hadley Road. The Old Town Hall is at 3551 Hadley Road with the Hadley Library right across the street

08/11/2026

Are you someone who's always talking about “the old days”? Did your grandparents tell you stories of the their youth? We'd LOVE to hear your stories! Add your voice to the history of Hadley Township!

We are seeking people who would like to share their Hadley or Elba Township memories with the HADLEY ORAL HISTORY PROJECT. Interested persons may meet a representative of the project at the Hadley Mill Museum on Thursday August 20th between 4:30 and 8:00 p.m.

The Hadley Library is leading an effort to collect Oral Histories in Hadley Township. The mission is to collect stories and memories of Hadley Township to preserve them for future generations by interviewing current and past residents. The interviews are recorded and then transcribed to create a written document.

Participants come to the interview session with subjects in mind that they want recorded. The subject and content of the interview is entirely of the participant’s choosing. However, the interviewer may ask questions for clarification.

Once complete, the interview is not edited. Eventually the audio and written transcripts will be available at the Lapeer District Library for public access.

The overall project is being coordinated by Julie Oparka of the Lapeer District Library. This project started in 2025 and already over 30 interviews have been conducted. Contact information: Julie Oparka, (810)797-4101 or [email protected]. Or come and meet a representative of the project at the Hadley Mill Museum on Thursday August 20th between 4:30 and 8:00 p.m.

08/10/2026

UPDATE: From the comments received about this post, three tornadoes damaged properties in this part of Hadley Township. One in 1896, then in 1934 and again in 1956. Thanks to all for your comments. If any of you who witnessed the 1956 tornado would like to share your stories, the Hadley Oral History Project could record your memories.

ORIGINAL POST: These photos were taken of farms in Hadley Township damaged by a tornado but the year is unknown.; probably in the 1930's. Do you have any information about a tornado in that era? These and other photos were recently donated to the Hadley Mill Museum by a descendant of the Eick and Nicklas families of Hadley Township.
The farms affected were Walter Eick's, Henry Brandt's, the Hamblin's and the Gibson's.

08/08/2026

08/07/2026

A big THANKS to the Parlour who donated ice cream to last night's Evening Program hosted by the Hadley Township Historical Society . The Vernor's floats were delicious and the program on "How Michigan Became Michigan" was fascinating.

The next Evening Program will be on Thursday September 3 at 7:00. It will be about the Lapeer State Home.

See you tomorrow at A GRAND OLD DAY IN HADLEY from 9am to 3pm at the Hadley Mill Museum. And be sure to stop at the Parlour for some pizza or an ice cream cone!