Manchester history featured in webinar

Farmhouse circa 1949.

submitted by Sybil Kolon

Manchester’s own Sutton/Kolongowski farmstead and its transformation into the Iron Creek Preserve was the topic of the monthly webinar of the Michigan Historic Preservation Network (MHPN). The webinar is now available on the MHPN website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DW8VxU2Ne5Y

The project, “Deconstructing the Past, From Farmstead to Nature Preserve,” was the subject of workshops put on last fall, as well as a presentation last April, sponsored by the Manchester Area Historical Society (MAHS).

The webinar provides an overview of the entire project, including how dealing with a vacant, 160-year-old farmhouse “slowed down but also enhanced the creation of a nature preserve.” Sybil Kolon, who donated the 80-acre property to Legacy Land Conservancy along with her husband, outlines the history of the Sutton and Kolongowski families who made this house their home. Marian Feinberg, Eastern Michigan University Preservation Studies M.S. candidate, discusses the deconstruction process and some of the history that was revealed. Krista Gjestland, Legacy Land Conservancy development director, describes how Legacy adapted their acquisition process to incorporate this history, as well as their plans for the preserve.

Signage is being planned that will recognize the history of the site, in coordination with MAHS. The Iron Creek Preserve will open in the spring of 2025, after Legacy installs a small parking lot, upgrades the pedestrian bridge over Iron Creek, and makes improvements to the trails, including signage.

Kolon states, “This project has taken on a life of its own.” There are plans to do more research and outreach. She also hopes to “inspire others to consider deconstruction as a way to recover history and materials that would otherwise be lost during demolition. The Deconstructing the Past webpage on the MAHS website has been recently updated with more pictures: https://mahsmi.org/dtp/

Information about the preserve is available on Legacy’s website: https://legacylandconservancy.org/preserves/legacy-preserves/iron-creek-preserve/

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.