Conference to focus on stories of Oakland County communities

With Oakland County celebrating its 200th anniversary next year, representatives from the region’s 61 cities, villages and townships are invited to the county’s 2019 Heritage Conference to learn how to explore and share stories on the important people, places, and events that shaped the history of the region.

“Telling Your Story” takes place on Thursday, Sept. 19, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Rochester Hills Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, 1005 Van Hoosen Road in Rochester Hills. The 16-acre museum complex, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, dates to 1823 and serves as the repository of artifacts and archives related to the greater Rochester area.

“As we prepare to celebrate Oakland County’s bicentennial, the importance of keeping the history of our communities and county alive for future generations has never been greater,” Oakland County Executive David Coulter said. “From one end of the county to the other, there is so much to share and celebrate over the next several months through storytelling.”

The conference is organized by Oakland County’s Department of Economic Development & Community Affairs, with the support of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners and sponsored by Oakland County Parks.

The $40 registration fee includes a continental breakfast, catered lunch, and tours of the Van Hoosen Farmhouse, dairy barn and exhibits, historic schoolhouse and Stoney Creek Village. The luncheon speaker is Rad Jones, U.S. Secret Service (retired), whose presentation is entitled, “Protecting Presidents: A First-Person Account.” The other featured speaker is Carol Bacak-Egbo, Oakland County Parks historian and project advisor, whose talk is called, “Fake History: Busting the Myths.”

The event includes a special panel discussion, “Methods & Mediums: Storytelling Beginning to End,” featuring Joe Frost, associate planner, Oakland County Planning Division; Nina Misuraca Ignaczak, independent writer, editor and filmmaker; and Jason Stevens, principal, Flutter & Wow Museum Projects. The day ends with a networking reception sponsored by the Oakland County Historical Commission.

“This will be a great educational opportunity for city planners, economic developers, architects, historians, government officials and residents who are proud of their communities and want to share the most intriguing stories,” said Bret Rasegan, planning division manager. “We have a great lineup of speakers. This year’s conference provides a primer on ways for any group or individual to tell their story as it relates to Oakland County’s rich heritage.”

Registration is available at AdvantageOakland.EventBrite.com.
 

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