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Rod and Susan Wilson collection of Rochester (Michigan) History

 Collection
Identifier: OU-SC-RODSUEWILSON

Scope and Contents note

The Rod and Susan Wilson collection of Rochester (Michigan) History is quite diverse as the Wilsons collected all sorts of two and three dimensional items that touched on the history of Rochester, Michigan. During processing the Wilsons’ own research materials were separated from the original historical materials they collected. These materials were placed in the first series - the Rod and Susan Wilson Files, which include correspondence, presentation notes, the manuscript of Rochester: Preserving History, A Pictorial Journey and other documents generated and gathered by the Wilsons in the course of their preservation and historical research activities. Also included are copies of original historical materials that the Wilsons made for their research.

The rest of the collection is devoted to original historical materials – manuscripts, photographs, and other materials illustrating and documenting various aspects of the history of Rochester, Michigan, from the mid-19th century to the present. The Wilsons occasionally gave specific items back to living relatives, leaving only copies in their place.

The collection is mostly organized by topic, based on the way the Wilsons had sorted the materials they acquired. Some files are also grouped by provenance and format. The series are: Cities of Rochester and Rochester Hills; People and Genealogy; Social Life; Business; Other Subjects on Rochester and Oakland County History; Schools; Newspaper Clippings; Graphic Materials; Maps and Posters; Artifacts and Scrapbooks.

Dates

  • 1837 - 2018

Access and Use note

The Rod and Susan Wilson collection of Rochester (Michigan) History is open for research except for certain records restricted by statute or university policy.

Copyright

Copyright to materials created by Rod and / or Susan Wilson and controlled by them before donation was transferred to Oakland University. For all other materials researchers are responsible for seeking copyright permissions before publishing items from the collection.

Biographical Note

Rod and Susan were both born at St. Joseph Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan. They are both 7th generation inhabitants of the Rochester area. Rod’s father, Harold C. Wilson, was born in Etzicom, Alberta, Canada where his parents had left Michigan to homestead on an Indian reservation. At age twelve his father and family moved back to Pontiac, Michigan. Rod’s maternal side of the family has been in the Rochester area since 1822, when Stephen Reeves purchased property along Galloway Lake (in today’s Auburn Hills). Reeves became the first probate Judge elected in Oakland County. As for Susan, in 1837, her fourth great-grandfather, Jacob Miller, purchased 360 acres at the corner of today’s Adam’s Road and Avon Road – later giving his name to the lake there.

Rod worked for General Motors for 36+ years and retired in 2001. Susan worked for the Rochester Community Schools for 25 years at Van Hoosen Middle School as a secretary. They both have affiliations with several service organizations in the community, notably the Rochester-Avon Historical Society (RAHS). The Wilsons were among leaders of the RAHS group credited with historical preservation projects such as the restoration of the World War II memorial and a Federal Art Project painting entitled “Industrial Environment of Rochester High School” by Marvin Beerbohm. They frequently give lectures, presentations and tours about the area. Sue Wilson was instrumental in the publication of the book Rochester: Preserving History, A Pictorial Journey by the Rochester Avon Historical Society.

Rod and Susan are passionate collectors. For decades, they tirelessly sought out books, photos, manuscripts, posters, objects, and other items documenting the history of the greater Rochester area. They went to estate sales, searched websites like ebay, and spread the word in the community. Many local residents, hearing about their dedication, donated personal heirlooms. For years, the collection could be toured in their home in Rochester. In 2019, the Wilsons donated their collection to Oakland University.

Extent

16 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Active collectors of Rochester history memorabilia with deep roots in the Rochester Avon area; members of numerous local and Michigan historical organizations and authors of publications and tours on local history. Harvested over decades, their collection includes their personal research files as well as books, periodicals, photos, manuscripts, posters, objects, and other items documenting the history of the greater Rochester area.

Acquisition

Donated by Rod and Susan Wilson, April 2019.

Accruals

Additional materials were added to this collection by the Wilsons in 2020 and 2021.

Separated Materials

Books and periodicals have been cataloged and can be found in the Oakland University Library's catalog.

Processing

Processed by Dominique Daniel and Shirley Paquette, August 2022.

Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Oakland University Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Kresge Library
100 Library Drive
Rochester MI 48309 USA