Local author Susan Collins will present “Historic Homes of Marshall” to adults in the meeting room of Marshall District Library on Tuesday, September 14, at 6:00 pm. Very limited seating makes pre-registration necessary. MDL cardholders register August 31, and all others September 3. To register, pick up a free ticket at the Information Desk.
Collins will highlight her new local architecture book, “Historic Homes of Marshall, Michigan”. This edition will include bungalow, cottages and other historic architectural types along with many of the styles presented in Dr. Mabel Cooper Skjelver’s book. Immediately following the presentation, attendees will be treated to a “mini home tour” of Collins’ Italianate house on North Marshall Avenue.
Susan Collins, of Marshall, was president of the Historical Society of Michigan from 1985-87. She and her late husband, John, have been active in preservation at the local, state and national level since 1974. She chaired the nomination committee for the National Historic Landmark District in Marshall from 1989-91. With over 800 structures, it is the largest National Landmark District in the country in the small urban category. When Michigan Main Street began, Susan co-chaired the nomination committee to make Marshall one of the first four Main Streets selected. There are currently eleven designated ‘Main Streets’ in Michigan. In 2000 she began the Marshall Scarecrow Festival, citing the fact that the lovely Victorian homes made wonderful backdrops for the fanciful scarecrows designed and built by Marshall citizens. Collins was also the one to nominate Marshall to become one of the National Trust’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations. She has recently become the Chair of the Landmark Committee again and has hopes to create some exciting new ventures in preservation for Marshall. After serving on the Downtown Development Authority for twelve years, Mrs. Collins currently sits on the Marshall Planning Commission and the Joint Planning Commission for Marshall City and Marshall Township.
The Marshall District Library is located at 124 West Green Street. For more information about this or any adult program call the Information Desk at 781-7821, ext. 10, or visit us on the web at www.marshalldistrictlibrary.org.
