Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society

10/16/2026

See you on Sunday! 🍂

Looking for a free and fun program where you can enjoy the fall weather? Look no further! Our annual fall nature walk at Orchard Lake Nature Sanctuary will be on Sunday, October 18 at 2pm. 🍂

And the best part? No registration required, so we'll see you there! 👀

10/13/2026

Join us at West Bloomfield Township Public Library on Wednesday, November 11 at 7pm and learn about the Wards, a very influential family in the history of the Orchard Lake area! 🤔

10/11/2026

Did you know? Tomorrow (October 11, 2025) will mark 55 years since Brigadier General Frederick S. Strong, Jr. (right) presented the deed to Apple Island to the West Bloomfield School District. The ceremony was also attended by Michigan Governor William Milliken (who is behind Strong in this photo). 🍎

The last private owners of Apple Island were Marjorie Ward Strong and Harold Lee Ward. Upon Ward Strong’s death in 1970, and in accordance with her wish as expressed to her husband, Brigadier General Frederick S. Strong, Jr., the island was deeded by members of her family to the West Bloomfield School District. Apple Island was dedicated as Marjorie Ward Strong Woodland Sanctuary on October 11, 1970. The proclamation made that day was:

"This historic island is given to the West Bloomfield School District in memory of Marjorie Ward Strong, its principal owner and faithful conservator for half a century, whose last request was that it be preserved in its natural state as a permanent woodland sanctuary, that the children of this favored land of lakes and forest may, as young students, learn to cherish, understand, and guard the priceless gifts of nature."

10/10/2026

Just a few hours away! No pre-registration required! Solo players welcome! Silent auction and raffle items! Support Apple Island Tours! 🍎

On October 10, GWBHS will be holding our first ever euchre tournament, which is a fundraiser for our annual Apple Island Tours program, in partnership with Orchard Lake Community Church! Join us at OLCC's Heritage Hall for a fun night of euchre and silent auction - all proceeds will go toward future Apple Island Tours. $25 participation fee per player. ♥️♠️♣️♦️

For event details and to see how you can donate a deck of cards or items for the silent auction, visit gwbhs.org/events.

10/09/2026

This digital photo from the GWBHS collection shows patrons leaving the Keego Theater after a truck hit and damaged the marquee sign on the outside of the building. 📽

Did you know? In the 1970s, the marquee sign at the Keego Theater was actually hit several times by passing trucks after Orchard Lake Road was widened. This eventually resulted in the marquee being redesigned!

10/07/2026

The Orchard Lake Museum is open THIS Sunday! Come by to learn about some of West Bloomfield's Indigenous history ahead of Indigenous Peoples' Day - and see our new local Chaldean history exhibit while you're here too. 😊

10/06/2026

A reminder to join us this Saturday at Orchard Lake Community Church Presbyterian for a fun night of euchre to support our Apple Island Tours in June! Come as a single player or a team 🃏😉

On October 10, GWBHS will be holding our first ever euchre tournament, which is a fundraiser for our annual Apple Island Tours program, in partnership with Orchard Lake Community Church! Join us at OLCC's Heritage Hall for a fun night of euchre and silent auction - all proceeds will go toward future Apple Island Tours. $25 participation fee per player. ♥️♠️♣️♦️

For event details and to see how you can donate a deck of cards or items for the silent auction, visit gwbhs.org/events.

09/26/2026

Looking for a free and fun program where you can enjoy the fall weather? Look no further! Our annual fall nature walk at Orchard Lake Nature Sanctuary will be on Sunday, October 18 at 2pm. 🍂

And the best part? No registration required, so we'll see you there! 👀

09/25/2026

On October 10, GWBHS will be holding our first ever euchre tournament, which is a fundraiser for our annual Apple Island Tours program, in partnership with Orchard Lake Community Church! Join us at OLCC's Heritage Hall for a fun night of euchre and silent auction - all proceeds will go toward future Apple Island Tours. $25 participation fee per player. ♥️♠️♣️♦️

For event details and to see how you can donate a deck of cards or items for the silent auction, visit gwbhs.org/events.

09/22/2026

Exciting news - Our new exhibit panel on local Jewish history has finished its 3-month rotation at the Orchard Lake Museum and is now on display at West Bloomfield Township Public Library's Main Branch for the next month! 🥳

This exhibit panel (in collaboration with Jewish Historical Society of Michigan) is part of the Greater West Bloomfield Diverse History Project, made possible by a grant from America250MI. Stop by to view the panel, learn more about Greater West Bloomfield's Jewish community, and let us know what you think by scanning the QR code on the stand next to the panel to fill out our online feedback form.

Thank you to our community partner West Bloomfield Township Public Library for hosting this exhibit panel! For library directions and hours of operation, visit wblib.org.