Macomb County Historical Commission

Our mission is to procure, protect, preserve, and promote the historical resources and legacy of Macomb County, Michigan.

Ralph Liberato Award

This website is now available at the shortcut www.macombhistory.org . It is also still available by going to the Macomb County site and clicking on History.

The Macomb County Historical Commission was proud to host the unveiling of the Ralph A. Liberato plaque in the main lobby of the Macomb County Administration Building on December 18, 2009.  The Master of Ceremonies was Donna Cangemi and other speakers included Marvin Sauger, Karl Mark Pall of the historical commission, Lynn Liberato, representatives of the Council 25 staff, and Cynthia Donahue, who also organized the presentation.  The plaque was designed by Janice Trimpe.

Ralph Liberato (1923-2004) was born in Detroit and served in World War II as a Marine Raider.  He was the first president of the UAW Local 160, a president and secretary/treasurer of the Macomb County AFL/CIO, a Michigan Constitutional Convention delegate in 1961, a Michigan presidential elector in 1988, the Macomb County Democratic Chairman 1973-1990, the President of the AFSCME Council 12 and 23, Director of Council 25 Department of Government Affairs 1979-1989, Michigan Association of Counties president 1998-1999, the creator of the Senior Swing Dance at Freedom Hill and Metropolitan Beach, and a commissioner of Warren for 14 years.

Left to Right: Karl Mark Pall, Lynn Liberato, Cindy Donahue, & Donna Cangemi.

The Martin Luther King Celebration Dinner will be held January 18, 2010 at Royalty House at 8201 Old 13 Mile in Warren from 6:30 until 8:30 pm. 

This year the Local History Conference will be held March 19 and 20 at the Dearborn Inn.

The Macomb County Heritage Alliance will be held April 17 at the Mt. Clemens Library.

The Historical Society of Michigan State History Conference will be October 15-17 in Frankenmuth.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation presents the Michigan Preservation Fund and the application deadline is February 1, 2010.  The goal of the fund is to enable preservationists to rescue historic sites, buildings, and other structures in jeopardy.  Seed grants of $1,000 to $5,000 are available.  Check info@mhpn.org for more information.

This website is now available at the shortcut www.macombhistory.org . It is also still available by going to the Macomb County site and clicking on History.

The Alexander Macomb Award winner in the Exemplary Individual Award Category for 2009 was Richard Gonyeau. Mr. Gonyeau has demonstrated a lifelong passion for history.  He is not only is a graduate of Anchor Bay High School, but holds both a Bachelors and a Masters Degree in history. He has been the President of the New Baltimore Historical Society for 10 years, and Program Director for 25 years.  He does cemetery walks in New Haven, New Baltimore and Ira Township, and Mr. Gonyeau also does holiday ghost walks in downtown New Baltimore, as well as other historical programs. He’s written over 400 historical newspaper articles on local history and inspired many people to get interested in their local history.

In the Exemplary Institutional Category this year our commission named the Ford Motor Company. Henry Ford was a true Michigan entrepreneur and American hero.  He had strong early ties to Macomb County.  On January 12, 1904 he personally set a land speed record on the ice of Lake St. Clair at Anchor Bay in New Baltimore, timed and sanctioned by the Automobile Association of America, of 91.37 miles per hour.  In 1908 and 1909 he introduced the Model T. 

Also awarded for 2009 was a Special Award to the Warren Historical & Genealogical Society for maintaining and preserving the Bunert One Room Schoolhouse as a museum for our citizens. The Bunert One Room Schoolhouse was originally built in 1875 and was located at the corner of Bunert & Martin Road.  In 1987, in was donated to the then Warren Historical Society and moved to Warren Woods Tower High School property where it serves as a museum. In 2009, the schoolhouse became a local celebrity with the filming of “Leonie”, a 90 minute feature 1880s movie portraying the life of French Saint Therese’s younger sister. Accepting the award for the Bunert School was Darlene Slicker, President of the Warren Historical and Genealogical Society.  

Richard Gonyeau, Bob Kriepke, Mayor Fouts, Darlene Slicker, and Ray Glime

The Macomb County Historical Commission has issued a special map for Macomb County, listing all the historical plaques, museums, cemeteries, historic downtowns, historic villages, depots, log cabins, schoolhouses, and other pertinent buildings in the county. You can pick up one at the county Planning Commission in the Administration Building in Mt. Clemens or by emailing macombhistory@yahoo.com. While you are at the Administration Building, be sure to check out the historical display in the lobby on the first floor. This collection of historical pictures and artifacts of Macomb County is administered by Macomb County Historical Commission liaison Cynthia Donahue.

The theme for the 2009 Activity Book issued by the Macomb County Historical Commission was Macomb County Parks.  Pick up one in the Administration Building or contact the Historical Commission at macombhistory@yahoo.com if you are interested in a copy for yourself, or if you are an instructor, click on, print out, and mail the order form below.

Activity Book Order Form