Have you ever sat at a stoplight, looked at a busy corner and wondered ‘what used to be there?? Or looked at an old building and questioned how long it has stood in that very same spot? If so, a new exhibit at the Clarkston Heritage Museum can answer all your questions.
‘Most people really like looking at photographs,? said Toni Smith, Clarkston Heritage Museum director. ‘I think anyone who travels in the area can relate to this exhibit because even if they don’t live in Clarkston all the time, they still drive through and often wonder what buildings were there and what has changed.?
The museum is sponsored by the Clarkston Community Historical Society. The new exhibit, which runs through November, includes more than 75 historic photos and each is paired with a current photo taken of the same location. In many cases, little has changed and the buildings and homes remain as they have always been. In other views, the curve in a road or the rise of a hill is the only connection between the two photos, with barely a hint at what was once there.
‘What’s interesting in this exhibit isn’t so much what has changed, but what has remained the same,? Smith said. ‘I think that one of the surprises is the dentist office next Morgan’s, that’s one of the oldest buildings in town and some of our pictures show that building. It was built in the late 1800s, but doesn’t look like it because its been aluminum sided.?
She also said when she is in the office she can hear people talking with whoever they’re talking with while touring the exhibit about different things they assumed
‘For example they assume Rudy’s has always been in the same spot, which is hasn’t,? Smith said. ‘They are always surprised to see the Rudy’s building was a Ford dealership and it had bays for car all along the side where you park.?
The museum also has a new slideshow PowerPoint system that replaced the old touch screen computer, which offers visitors a wide variety of information on the history of Clarkston and function of the Clarkston Community Historical Society. It displays historic photos, past museum exhibits, CCHS events and a game of ‘Guess the Artifact.?
For more information call the CCHS office at 248-922-0270 The Clarkston Heritage Museum is located within the Independence Township Library at 6495 Clarkston Road. The museum is open during all regular library hours.
‘I think when you live in an area, after a few years you assume it’s always been that way,? Smith said. ‘But Clarkston has done a good job keeping the character of the town too and that’s something that comes through in this exhibit.?