Non profit preservation groups: We want to hear your voice!
Our initial purpose at Downriver History & Facts has been - and still is - to preserve as much of our past as possible. We will help with any effort undertaken to keep the integrity of the Downriver area as purposeful as possible, even if our job is just to publicize. Many times the mistake is made of tearing down a historically significant building, and regrets for doing so later pop up. If you are a member of such an organization that believes these structures or areas should be saved for as long as possible, please let us know of your project or missions by contacting us via our Contact Form. Thank you.
Seed saving specialist aims to reintroduce Potawatomi to its ancestral food roots
By Danielle West -- July, 2020
The Potawatomi Seed Saving Garden was just started this year at Westcroft Gardens in Grosse Ile. Andrew Bucienski, a CGG volunteer, decided to put his significant knowledge of seed saving to use through this project.
His efforts are meant to accomplish a few things; feed Potawatomi culturally significant foods, save seeds from these local regional foods to ensure their survival, and develop (over time) educational materials to share with the surrounding communities about these foods.
We currently have red flint corn, dry pole beans, squashes, and tobacco planted. The garden is doing wonderful and if all continues along as it is now we will be both preserving seeds and sharing food with Potawatomi this fall. We are working carefully to develop the education component as we want to portray the culture and foods accurately (we anticipate spending approximately 2 years developing the educational component of the project).
I can assure you we all are honored to be doing this meaningful work for our communities. On the brochure we called the project, "The Potawatomi Field of Dreams". We are working with the American Indian Health and Family Services (among other groups) to do this work. One of the suggestions we received is that the name of the garden will need to be looked at more closely so be aware the name isn't finalized.
Andrew is looking for help in bringing this project to its potential. If you yourself or anyone else you know might be interested in helping please reach out to either contact on the brochure. And know that we are happy to give a tour of our growing operations.
His efforts are meant to accomplish a few things; feed Potawatomi culturally significant foods, save seeds from these local regional foods to ensure their survival, and develop (over time) educational materials to share with the surrounding communities about these foods.
We currently have red flint corn, dry pole beans, squashes, and tobacco planted. The garden is doing wonderful and if all continues along as it is now we will be both preserving seeds and sharing food with Potawatomi this fall. We are working carefully to develop the education component as we want to portray the culture and foods accurately (we anticipate spending approximately 2 years developing the educational component of the project).
I can assure you we all are honored to be doing this meaningful work for our communities. On the brochure we called the project, "The Potawatomi Field of Dreams". We are working with the American Indian Health and Family Services (among other groups) to do this work. One of the suggestions we received is that the name of the garden will need to be looked at more closely so be aware the name isn't finalized.
Andrew is looking for help in bringing this project to its potential. If you yourself or anyone else you know might be interested in helping please reach out to either contact on the brochure. And know that we are happy to give a tour of our growing operations.
Introduction of Senate declaration aims to help rehabilitate Historic Fort Wayne
The time has more than likely come for Metro Detroit area residents - especially those interested in our earliest history - to pull together, spread the message, and help to save Detroit's Historic Fort Wayne from further degradation and deterioration.
As of February 2019, there has been an online petition started by Michigan State Senator Stephanie Chang to call attention to this matter. The request came from the Superintendent of the River Raisin National Battlefield, based near the Monroe area. The online petition hopes for enough signatures in order to move forward toward the possibility of a national park designation for the grounds. "I received a request this morning from the River Raisin National Battlefield Superintendent, requesting my support on a new legislative initiative to save historic Fort Wayne (Detroit) and begin the nomination process that would make it a National Park. |
"I have been a recent visitor to this site and as a history lover, it is truly upsetting to see this piece of our local history in ruins. The historical value of Fort Wayne in the formation of Brownstown Township (and the City of Flat Rock) runs deep.
"Fort Wayne was the site of the signing of the Springwells Treaty in 1815, which essentially reaffirmed the Treaty of Greenville (1795) and ended the hostilities between the Americans and eight tribes of Indigenous Peoples (including the Wyandot), which had developed following the War of 1812. Sadly, this was the beginning of the Indigenous Peoples losing their land in Michigan.
"It should be noted that Fort Wayne contains the burial mounds of the late Woodland peoples. Through the years, these burial mounds have been desecrated (even using the earthen soil found within in the burial mounds to make bricks!). Currently, only ONE of these burial mound remains at this site!
"Although Fort Wayne did not see actual battle, it was the muster point for all of our local soldiers from the Civil War through the Vietnam Conflict. The City of Detroit does not have the resources to maintain this site. A small non-profit group has been doing its best to maintain the site through various fundraisers, but so much has already been destroyed simply due to lack of funds.
"I ask that you please consider signing this petition to save Fort Wayne and preserve its history as a National Park. Thank you."
Geographically, Historic Fort Wayne may not fall within the parameters of the Downriver area but, as implied above, it helped play a huge role in the early pioneering establishments that our area has seen.
Ever since I heard about the fort in my teen years, I have always been dismayed at its less-than-stellar condition.
Comparibly, surrounding the city of Niagara Falls on the Canadian side are two beautifully maintained areas: Historic Fort Erie and Old Fort George. These two, specifically Fort Erie, were in much disrepair prior to the takeover by the Niagara Parks Commission in the 1920s, and both properties are now in the care of Parks Canada. Despite many a naysayers' plea to let the forts go to ruin, the effort to restore the areas was significant and rewards those visitors today interested in the earliest history, going back to the War of 1812.
Historic Fort Wayne shares much of the same charm and historical significance as the Canadian forts. However, resources have been slim over the decades, and the city of Detroit seemingly does not know how to move forward on needed restoration.
The city has moved ahead to transform much of its riverfront property into a beautiful people-oriented area, which years ago was unthinkable. Restoring Historic Fort Wayne must not be thought of as unthinkable, but possible. With Senator Chang's backing, perhaps this effort might provide the impetus to open up a new crown jewel to the viewing public.
As of the petition's first day, 766 had signed their support. The hope is to get over 1,000 supporters.
"Fort Wayne was the site of the signing of the Springwells Treaty in 1815, which essentially reaffirmed the Treaty of Greenville (1795) and ended the hostilities between the Americans and eight tribes of Indigenous Peoples (including the Wyandot), which had developed following the War of 1812. Sadly, this was the beginning of the Indigenous Peoples losing their land in Michigan.
"It should be noted that Fort Wayne contains the burial mounds of the late Woodland peoples. Through the years, these burial mounds have been desecrated (even using the earthen soil found within in the burial mounds to make bricks!). Currently, only ONE of these burial mound remains at this site!
"Although Fort Wayne did not see actual battle, it was the muster point for all of our local soldiers from the Civil War through the Vietnam Conflict. The City of Detroit does not have the resources to maintain this site. A small non-profit group has been doing its best to maintain the site through various fundraisers, but so much has already been destroyed simply due to lack of funds.
"I ask that you please consider signing this petition to save Fort Wayne and preserve its history as a National Park. Thank you."
Geographically, Historic Fort Wayne may not fall within the parameters of the Downriver area but, as implied above, it helped play a huge role in the early pioneering establishments that our area has seen.
Ever since I heard about the fort in my teen years, I have always been dismayed at its less-than-stellar condition.
Comparibly, surrounding the city of Niagara Falls on the Canadian side are two beautifully maintained areas: Historic Fort Erie and Old Fort George. These two, specifically Fort Erie, were in much disrepair prior to the takeover by the Niagara Parks Commission in the 1920s, and both properties are now in the care of Parks Canada. Despite many a naysayers' plea to let the forts go to ruin, the effort to restore the areas was significant and rewards those visitors today interested in the earliest history, going back to the War of 1812.
Historic Fort Wayne shares much of the same charm and historical significance as the Canadian forts. However, resources have been slim over the decades, and the city of Detroit seemingly does not know how to move forward on needed restoration.
The city has moved ahead to transform much of its riverfront property into a beautiful people-oriented area, which years ago was unthinkable. Restoring Historic Fort Wayne must not be thought of as unthinkable, but possible. With Senator Chang's backing, perhaps this effort might provide the impetus to open up a new crown jewel to the viewing public.
As of the petition's first day, 766 had signed their support. The hope is to get over 1,000 supporters.