Oakland County Bicentennial Historical Presentation

In addition to the formal presentation of the reprint of the 1877 History of Oakland County, Jim Craft of the Oakland County Historical Commission will deliver a talk on its background, content and value as historical literature. 

The first history of Oakland County was produced in 1877 by L.H. Everts Publishing of Philadelphia.  The immediate catalyst for writing this book seems to have been the 1876 centennial celebration of American independence.

This 1877 History of Oakland County is well-known to local historians and original versions are available in a number of libraries in the County.  They are, however, fragile and access is limited in order to prevent further damage.

As a part of the 2020 Oakland County Bicentennial commemoration, the Oakland County Historical Commission is donating reprints of the Everts book in sturdy library-quality binding to libraries and in the county. Such a version will not require special care and can, therefore, be made more accessible to patrons.

In addition to the formal presentation of the book, Jim Craft of the Oakland County Historical Commission will deliver a talk on its background, content and value as historical literature. In addition, he will address a problem inherent with local histories: such books provide detailed information about local people, conditions and events but often fail to place them in the proper context. Mr. Craft will bring greater understanding to the Everts book and life in 19th Century Oakland County by making connections to the broader sweep of American history that could easily be overlooked by most readers.