Stories of Chelsea: A Community History Project, is the Chelsea District Library’s virtual home for our local history collection. Enjoy videos, documentaries, and other history projects, browse our collection of historic photos and newspapers, view episodes of Around Town with Linda, and search unique resource such as our Family History Index (local obituaries) or collection of birth and death registries.
For assistance researching local history, complete CDL’s Local History Request Form or call a librarian at 734-475-8732 ext. 219.
CDL Local History Blog
Village Life Documentary: Now Available!
Chelsea Community History Project: Village Life from chelsealibrary on Vimeo.
The Chelsea Community History Project: Village Life documentary is a love letter to Chelsea, aimed a telling the story of how life in this community has changed through the years. We focused on the central downtown of Chelsea and collected the stories of longtime residents and business owners, sharing their recollections of how things used to be and how they came to be the way they are.
This film was made possible by the people who were willing to sit down and share their memories and stories with us on camera – thank you to our interview subjects. It was generously supported by the Chelsea Community Foundation. The film was made by the talented and hardworking folks at Video Farm Productions. Chelsea District Library librarians Emily Meloche and Sara Wedell worked hard at making this concept a reality. Thanks to all those involved.
We premiered the Village Life documentary at the Washington Street Education Center on October 21, 2012 before a great crowd of Chelsea residents and supporters. Thanks to everyone who came out to be a part of this event!
This film will be available to borrow from the library or purchase through the Friends of the Chelsea District Library – please check with the library for details.
The Storm – 1950s band
In January of 1959, Ralph Guenther took photographs of Bill and Mac, members of a band called The Storm. The two really hammed it up for the camera, posing with their guitars.
Does anyone remember The Storm? Do you know who else was in the band? (Surely they were made up of more than two guitarists.) If so, email Sarah at sconrad@chelseadistrictlibrary.org.
Bill from "The Storm"
Mac from "The Storm"
Mock Elections – 1959
In 1959, Ralph Guenther was hired to take photographs for the Chelsea High School Yearbook. A set of eleven photos seemed to be the results of the senior mock elections, and a little investigating in the 1959 yearbook revealed that to be true. Take a look at the following pictures and try to guess what “awards” they won. The answers are at the bottom of the page!
Delores Scripter and Loren Keezer
Elaine Walker and Bob Eder
Fritz Wagner and Sharon Slane
Don Ferguson and Anita Eisemann
Pat Merkel and Sandie Karner
Gus Steger and Priscilla Neal
Chuck Slocum and Veretta Greenwood
Sandie Fraser and Bob Smith
Lynn McMannis and Frank Fredericks
David Schroen and Ellen Keusch
Steve Bristle and Helen Lentz
- Delores Scripter and Loren Keezer
- Elaine Walker and Bob Eder
- Fritz Wagner and Sharon Slane
- Don Ferguson and Anita Eisemann
- Pat Merkel and Sandie Karner
- Gus Steger and Priscilla Neal
- Chuck Slocum and Veretta Greenwood
- Sandie Fraser and Bob Smith
- Lynn McMannis and Frank Fredericks
- David Schroen and Ellen Keusch
- Steve Bristle and Helen Lentz
Homecoming – 1959
This Saturday is the Homecoming dance at Chelsea High School. Somehow I suspect it will look a little different than these photos from the 1959 CHS Homecoming dance, which were taken by Ralph Guenther.
Fall Means Football — 1950s
For many in this town, fall means Chelsea Football! While you’re waiting for the Bulldog’s next game, jump back to the 1950s and take a look at these football pictures taken by Ralph Guenther, local photographer.
This photo of Stan Knickerbocker was taken sometime in the 1950s.
Players and coaches study the plays (or, I suspect, pretend to for the photo). We don’t know the names of the people, or the exact date, but this photograph was taken sometime in the 1950s.
This picture and the two that follow it were taken on March 10 1959 for the Chelsea High School yearbook. I doubt they were playing football games in March, so it’s likely that these players suited up just for the camera.
Here’s the 1959 football team. This photo was also taken on March 10, 1959 for the CHS yearbook.
As usual, if you are able to identify anyone in these photographs, email sconrad@chelseadistrictlibrary.org.
The Bulldog Barks: Chewing Gum Drama
In the 1950s, Chelsea High School journalism students published “The Bulldog Barks,” a student newsletter. This paper, as one might expect, covered the school events, featured students, and reported the scores of athletic games. However, it also devoted an impressive amount of space to the biggest issue facing the school: chewing gum.
The reasons behind the no gum chewing rule were laid out in the March 11, 1952 edition of “The Bulldog Barks.”
Though the reasons behind the rule seem reasonable, that doesn’t stop chewing gum from being the center of three of these listed pet peeves of the September 23, 1952 issue.
Chewing Gum was also an issue at the Junior High School, as noted by this snarky signed editorial on the Junior High News Page on October 27, 1953.
These articles are just three out of a countless number that deal with the controversy around the chewing-gum rules. It is, without a doubt, the most represented topic in “The Bulldog Barks.”