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Michigan Classical Repertory Theatre
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Some of our friends and colleagues:
Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority
Ypsilanti Convention and Visitors Bureau
Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation
Ann Arbor Area
Community Foundation
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Riverside Arts Center, Winter, 2007, Newsletter
Down by the RIVERSIDE
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Riverside Arts Center from the Park |
Riverside Park from the Arts Center |
There’s a long tradition of community activity here:
• Native American gathering place
• Godfroy’s by the Patawatomie Trail trading post
• Mill owners’ stately homes and gardens
• Masonic Temple erected on bluff overlooking the river
• City of Ypsilanti’s Riverside Park
• Proposed as site for Ypsilanti Greek Theatre
• Ypsilanti Heritage Festival, antique auto shows, expositions
• Riverside Arts Center established in former Masonic Temple
• Arts Center expands to former Detroit Edison offices
Historical arty-facts at this site:
TO COMMEMORATE
THE FIRST SETTLEMENT
IN WASHTENAW COUNTY
GODFROY’S ON THE PATAWATOMIE TRAIL
ESTABLISHED BY GABRIEL GODFROY IN 1809
ERECTED BY
YPSILANTI CHAPTER D.A.R. 191 |
Plaque on front facade of the Riverside Off Center |
“Ground for the Masonic Temple was purchased in 1907, being the Chidister lot opposite the east end of Pearl Street and occupied by Westfall’s boarding house and the old Chinese laundry. The building was dedicated, with elaborate ceremonies, on May 5, 1909, the Grand Lodge of the State of Michigan being in charge, and the oration, making application of the glories of Solomon’s Temple to the qualities of Masonic manhood, being delivered by Professor Charles O. Hoyt.”
- From Harvey C. Colburn’s The Story of Ypsilanti , 1923 |
AL 5909
AD 1909 |
Masonic dates on cornerstone at 76 N. Huron St. |
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