There are so many people whom I would like to acknowledge for my development of this site, as well as my general overall love and appreciation of local history.
First of all, to my late mother, Rita Harrison. She was the one who fostered my enjoyment of photography from an early age. One day as she was driving me in Southgate near the site of the present day Sam's Club, she made the remark that I should be taking pictures of the cornfields that were there at the time, because, "You never know when things might change. It might not look like this anymore." It was ultimately not until years later that I finally caught on. I believe my fear at the time was that developing photos the old-fashioned way would cost too much money. As is so often the case, mothers are generally correct in the perceptions of their children. She ended up being one of the research coordinators at Henry Ford Museum... It's all in the genes!
Cindy Hopman, former News Herald community relations coordinator, who helped me get my start in media while still in high school, and also Joe Hoshaw Jr., whose articles on the former Korvette building in Southgate made me see exactly how detailed buildings of the past could be. Pat Andrews, Evelyn Cairns... They all guided me. Also, Rob Gelletta and Paul Klenczar for guiding me through the process needed to produce my history show, Pages of Time, in 1995. Curators I worked with during that time included Marie Vermette, Ruth Farr, and Marc Partin.
Henry Ford Community College also provided an impetus for me to pursue a telecommunications degree in the days before digital video editing, and for that there are so many... But namely, John Byrd, Jay Korinek and Kristin Olin-Sullivan, who met my enthusiasm with graciousness and patience.
I once thought that my interest in local history was limited to myself alone, but there were so many others. For that, I thank Katie Bashlor for forming the original Facebook group in 2011, Downriver Things. To Rob Imes, who inspired me to try my first website creation on the Tripod platform. The current Weebly platform has been the best and most enriching to work with. All the administrators of the aformentioned Facebook group were huge factors in taking me the direction that I have today.
Currently, special thanks to Jennifer Guest, my original research partner. Her assistance and overall willingness to help has made a huge difference, especially when I fell behind on updates. Marianne McCann Graham and Cheryl Pesci have been huge boosters of Downriver history, which also inspired me. Matt Burb's original efforts should also be commended. He knows more about the fine print of Downriver than almost anyone I have met.
Some of my most recent contacts include Linda Francetich, Craig Hutchinson, and Bethany Newton, all working with the Discover Downriver website, from which we have developed a networking partnership.
To the staff and volunteers at Bacon Memorial District Library in Wyandotte, you are tremendous. Special thanks to historian Wallace Hayden for his insight, and to all the staffers upstairs who offer troubleshooting with their microfilm equipment. Thanks also to the staff at Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn for making their computers some of the most accessible I have seen in the library system.
All throughout the process, a lot of it couldn't be done without the support of my cousin, Rosemarie, who often wondered what all those old time pictures on her computer were about. She and her mom, my Aunt Lori, understood what I was trying to do and offered their love and support.
Last but certainly not least, I offer special thanks and my love to my fiancee, Katie... who has always told me that my website idea is indeed a good one. My love and support goes to her as well, along with my appreciation that she doesn't think I'm that old.
Downriver has had a tremendous history, as seen here. My history has also been enriched by the people whom I've encountered.
First of all, to my late mother, Rita Harrison. She was the one who fostered my enjoyment of photography from an early age. One day as she was driving me in Southgate near the site of the present day Sam's Club, she made the remark that I should be taking pictures of the cornfields that were there at the time, because, "You never know when things might change. It might not look like this anymore." It was ultimately not until years later that I finally caught on. I believe my fear at the time was that developing photos the old-fashioned way would cost too much money. As is so often the case, mothers are generally correct in the perceptions of their children. She ended up being one of the research coordinators at Henry Ford Museum... It's all in the genes!
Cindy Hopman, former News Herald community relations coordinator, who helped me get my start in media while still in high school, and also Joe Hoshaw Jr., whose articles on the former Korvette building in Southgate made me see exactly how detailed buildings of the past could be. Pat Andrews, Evelyn Cairns... They all guided me. Also, Rob Gelletta and Paul Klenczar for guiding me through the process needed to produce my history show, Pages of Time, in 1995. Curators I worked with during that time included Marie Vermette, Ruth Farr, and Marc Partin.
Henry Ford Community College also provided an impetus for me to pursue a telecommunications degree in the days before digital video editing, and for that there are so many... But namely, John Byrd, Jay Korinek and Kristin Olin-Sullivan, who met my enthusiasm with graciousness and patience.
I once thought that my interest in local history was limited to myself alone, but there were so many others. For that, I thank Katie Bashlor for forming the original Facebook group in 2011, Downriver Things. To Rob Imes, who inspired me to try my first website creation on the Tripod platform. The current Weebly platform has been the best and most enriching to work with. All the administrators of the aformentioned Facebook group were huge factors in taking me the direction that I have today.
Currently, special thanks to Jennifer Guest, my original research partner. Her assistance and overall willingness to help has made a huge difference, especially when I fell behind on updates. Marianne McCann Graham and Cheryl Pesci have been huge boosters of Downriver history, which also inspired me. Matt Burb's original efforts should also be commended. He knows more about the fine print of Downriver than almost anyone I have met.
Some of my most recent contacts include Linda Francetich, Craig Hutchinson, and Bethany Newton, all working with the Discover Downriver website, from which we have developed a networking partnership.
To the staff and volunteers at Bacon Memorial District Library in Wyandotte, you are tremendous. Special thanks to historian Wallace Hayden for his insight, and to all the staffers upstairs who offer troubleshooting with their microfilm equipment. Thanks also to the staff at Henry Ford Centennial Library in Dearborn for making their computers some of the most accessible I have seen in the library system.
All throughout the process, a lot of it couldn't be done without the support of my cousin, Rosemarie, who often wondered what all those old time pictures on her computer were about. She and her mom, my Aunt Lori, understood what I was trying to do and offered their love and support.
Last but certainly not least, I offer special thanks and my love to my fiancee, Katie... who has always told me that my website idea is indeed a good one. My love and support goes to her as well, along with my appreciation that she doesn't think I'm that old.
Downriver has had a tremendous history, as seen here. My history has also been enriched by the people whom I've encountered.
Honored by Discover Downriver as a Hometown Hero award winning site, January 2019.
KEVIN HARRISON, webmaster/writer
JENNIFER GUEST, research contributor
CONTRIBUTORS:
MATT BURB
STEVE FREY
BARRY HILL
MARIANNE McCANN GRAHAM
DISCOVER DOWNRIVER STAFF:
LINDA FRANCETICH, support
CRAIG HUTCHINSON, public relations
BETHANY NEWTON, public relations
WEBSITE PATRONS
LESLEY HARKAI
MARC PARTIN
KATIE BASHLOR, group conceptor
JENNIFER GUEST, research contributor
CONTRIBUTORS:
MATT BURB
STEVE FREY
BARRY HILL
MARIANNE McCANN GRAHAM
DISCOVER DOWNRIVER STAFF:
LINDA FRANCETICH, support
CRAIG HUTCHINSON, public relations
BETHANY NEWTON, public relations
WEBSITE PATRONS
LESLEY HARKAI
MARC PARTIN
KATIE BASHLOR, group conceptor