The Local History Room

The purpose of the Local History Room is to provide materials that record the history and development of Novi Michigan, greater Oakland County, and surrounding areas as they pertain to Novi’s past boundaries. Michigan materials will be limited to those relating to the formation of Novi’s history.

Quick Links:

Novi History	Novi Special (Coming Soon)
Local History Room Policies	Fuerst Family (Coming Soon)
Photos of Early Novi (Coming Soon)	Novi Historical Commission
Genealogy Websites (Coming Soon)	Volunteer for Projects


John Bassett, Early Settler	Corner of Novi Road and Grand River Avenue	Ruby and Iva Fuerst

Local History Room Policies/Contents

To learn more about the Local History Room Policies, go here. To learn more about the Local History Room, go here.

Novi Historical Commission NHC Town Hall

Since 1986, the Novi Historical Commission has worked in partnership with the City of Novi, Novi Public Library, educators, and others to provide programs and services concerning the history of our community. The collection and preservation of the history of Novi is being accomplished through the solicitation of donated documents, photographs, and recorded personal experiences. The Commission’s work includes the development of presentations, exhibits, and events that showcase the over 180 year history of Novi. The Novi Historical Commission is located within the Novi Public Library and offers open office hours in the Local History Room on the first and third Mondays of each month.

Baseline Project baseline dedication ceremony

Located in the ITC Community Sports Park at Eight Mile and Napier Roads, the Baseline Marker is the third in the series designed by Novi Artist, David Barr. The marker was created in cooperation with several organizations and individuals in the Novi area and had significant funding support from the Americana Foundation. Dedicated in 2011, Novi's obelisk has key elements depicting Novi's farm and fruit growing origins, the railroad, Grand River Avenue, and other early modes of transportation essential to Novi's economy, as well as Novi's transition to a recreation destination for Detroit. Contact the Novi Historical Comission Chairperson at the Novi Public Library at (248) 349-0720 for additional information.
Read More Obelisk Design

Novi Historical Commission Monthly Meetings

Novi Historical Commission Meetings are held from 6:30-8 PM in the Local History Room, on the fourth Wednesday of each month. Dates for 2012 meetings are:

January 25
February 22
March 28
April 25
May 23
June 27
July 25
August 22
September 26
October 24
November 28
December: No Meeting Scheduled

Meeting Minutes

Lecture Series

Winter Lecture Series

Novi Historical Commission Members

Roy Prentice, Chair April 2005 - January 2014

Lynn Boyle March 2010 - January 2013

Kimberly Holdaway February 2009 - January 2012

John MacInnis, Secretary February 2009 - January 2012

Sandy McCarthy November 2009 - January 2013

Student Representatives - 2 Year Terms

Megan Parikh May 2010 - June 2012

Adithya Balusubramanian May 2010 - June 2013

Genealogy Websites

Click here to go to useful genealogy websites!

Fuerst Family

Click here to read about the Fuerst family and their farm. This information was researched and designed by Kathleen Mutch, Novi Historical Commission, 1989 - 2009 . Additional information on the current use of the farm is coming soon!

Would you like to volunteer to help with Local History projects? Do you have questions or comments?