Oakland County 200 ° J u d g e M i c h a e l W a r r e n , C h a i r

° C h r i s W a r d , V i c e C h a i r

° B i l l B u l l a r d

° C h a r l o t t e C o o p e r

° J u d y D a v i d s

° E r i c a D o n e r s o n

° C a r o l E g b o

° V - G a i l S i m p s o n

° I r e n e S p a n o s

° R i c h a r d B . S t a m p s , P h d .

N o n - M e m b e r s / S t a f f S u p p o r t :

° K a i t l i n K e e l e r

° J a m i M o n t e

A Report of the Bicentennial Study Group The citizens of Oakland County deserve a robust celebration of 200 years of excellence, including education and legacy projects that will have a lasting influence for decades to come

RETURN TO AGENDA

OUR PURPOSE

Convened at the request of the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, the Bicentennial Study Group was charged with considering how Oakland County should celebrate its upcoming bicentennial in 2020.

OUR PROCESS

We have convened on several occasions, created four working committees, and sought expert advice from various stakeholders. We have developed several concrete proposals for the Commission’s consideration.

SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS1

Organizations & Partnerships

We are well aware that we are not the exclusive possessors of good ideas on how to commemorate the bicentennial, and that its commemoration can only happen effectively with the assistance from, and in partnership with, many organizations. If we hope to have their support, we must build a spirit of inclusion and ownership from these organizations now.

A Brainstorming Meeting was held on February 12, 2018 at the Executive Conference Center. Thirty-two people attended, representing 22 different entities, and added 37 new ideas for the celebration of Oakland County’s Bicentennial.

As the bicentennial process continues, we will continue to broaden and deepen our outreach to various stakeholders.

Writing & Research/Education

A key component to properly commemorating the bicentennial is to educate the citizens of Oakland County, Michigan, and America about our rich and vital history. To do so, we must conduct research, and compile our findings in easily accessible forms for use across multiple platforms. As such, we recommend the following:

Create a database including maps, census records, histories Produce a brochure: Oakland County 1820-2020 – The Formative Years Write an article for Michigan History Magazine Earn a “Milestone Award” from the Michigan Historical Society Sponsor a Workshop for Museums and Historical Societies Create lessons plans on Oakland County for grades 2, 3, 5, 8 and High School Establish a monthly lecture series

1 This Executive Summary provides a basic synopsis of the recommendations from our work, and the attachments flesh out more of the details.

Marketing & Events

Our efforts will mean little if we do not reach students and the general public. After all, this is not an insular endeavor, but one that should reach the over 1.2 million residents of Oakland County, the nearly 10 million residents of Michigan, and the nearly 325 million residents of America. Engaging students and the general public in bicentennial activities will require extensive marketing and event management. More specifically, the following should be pursued:

Branding, including logo, slogan, style guide, PowerPoint template, and marketing plan.

Content, including video, blog, events calendar, Kids Art Contest, Bicentennial King & Queen, app, coupon book/passport, brochure, curriculum and educational materials, email newsletter, merchandise, event banners, window and sidewalk clings, event booth, and event float.

Worldwide Web presence, including website, branding portal, social media feed, videos, blog, educational materials, and events calendar.

Social media, including hashtag, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, and Nextdoor.

Event management, including historical tours, monthly toasts, 3/28 ceremony, Detroit Zoo, Signature Summer Event, Patriot Week Choir Concert, and Futurists.

Legacy

Monuments are vitally important to marking and remembering key historical events and anniversaries. They are visible reminders of the arc of history, of the struggles and tribulations past generations have undertaken so that we may enjoy the blessings of liberty, and the opportunities and challenges of the future. They offer a deeply emotional and educational experience unlike any other. Some monuments have become world famous symbols permanently affixing the identity of a city, region, country, event, or era. The Washington Monument. The St. Louis Arch. The Vietnam War Wall. Other monuments have deep resonance and meaning for the Metro Detroit community. The Joe Louis Fist. The Spirit of Detroit. The Diego Rivera Hall. Although there are many impressive monuments and structures in Oakland County, none currently have that “signature” affect.

The bicentennial offers Oakland County a once in a generation opportunity to literally make its mark on the map. Projects could range from simple, low cost designs and structures ($5,000-$100,000), more modest but impressive structures ($500,000-$1,000,000), to truly global symbols ($1,000,000 - $200,000,000). This project will require extensive planning and fundraising, dependent upon leading political, business, entertainment, and other figures. This legacy project presents an amazing opportunity for people across the world to instantly recognize Oakland County. We also highly recommend that it be not just a monument (or string of monuments), but include meaningful educational components that serve the public.

Report of the Organizational/Partnership Committee (Chris Ward, Charlotte Cooper, Irene Spanos) The #1 project referred to our committee is “Workshop to Brainstorm on Bicentennial - Museums, Historical Societies, etc.” After some discussion, we have determined that we should move forward with this project on an expedited schedule. A key component to many of the projects the Study Group has discussed to date is the partnership and support of local organizations. If we hope to have their support, we must build a spirit of inclusion and general “buy-in” from these local organizations now. We also recognize that many of the individuals from these organizations could bring excellent ideas to supplement the ideas already brought forward by our group. In support of these conclusions, our committee plans to move forward with an open meeting/open forum listening session. We have a target date in late January and will likely hold the event at the Executive Conference Center or the Board of Commissioners Auditorium. We would appreciate your suggestions in building a comprehensive list of invitees and topics to cover during the event.

Bicentennial Brainstorming Meeting Historical Museums and Organizations

Feb 12, 2018 Oakland County Conference Center

Ideas • Oakland County ISD Lesson plans ( already created) on history of OC and the Bicentennial • Who are our Pioneers? Descendants get certificates • Buying Pontiac Central School and turning it into a Museum -- There is a new Pontiac

Automotive Museum already being planned for the City of Pontiac • Place , People & Opportunity • Heritage Conference (3rd week of Sept) 2018, 2019, 2020- Focus on History of OC and leading up

to the 2020 celebration • Designate Events that Year as “bicentennial” – groups fill out forms are “authorized” by the

committee to use the BiCentennial “stamp/logo”. Include Legacy Tours • Aerial Photography using Google Earth – 1930’s map to today • Oak200 logo - should be used by partners, events, products that meet the quality standards of

the committee • Bicentennial “mini grants’ for historical projects in communities • Digitized Exhibit that can be shared by communities, school districts, partners, etc.

o OaklandCountyHistory.com • Corporate Sponsorships to help fund “200” projects in OC for out 200th birthday • Promote Ideas to local businesses

o 200 cent coney • Census – Any ties? • Include Libraries early on • “This place matters” use the banners for 200th celebration • Agricultural History • Archeology – Tie in Oakland County (info from Lansing) • First Families of Oakland County • How to connect : Process

Example: Birmingham 1818 • Start with Landforms – why and who we are • Native Americans • Update the 1877 History of Oakland County • Events tied to logo

o Ex. IN Torch – Torch Run • Web site – key to connecting communities • Inc. 1818 date, 1st AD to open in Oakland County • Co Brand with local historical societies • Put together a time-line • Community Calendar of events for the Bicentennial • What is Unique

o Architecture

o Automotive History o People

• County Tourism o Tap into dream Cruise / Innkeeper’s tax

• Day trips • Driving Tours – walking tours – hiking tours • 200 years of Sciences /Art/ Architecture

o Be proactive w/ different organizations, businesses • Main Event – Bring it together • Outreach Diversity • Growth- Wilderness--------to Statehood • Churches /Site Data

Oak 200 Study Committee --- Research & Writing / Education Sub-committee (Carol Egbo and Richard Stamps)

Activity Budget Notes Create database including maps, census records, histories $2000 • Budget would be for a research consultant such as Bruce Hawkins or Ray Henry

• Database would be used for other Committee projects such as the Oak Co brochure

Produce brochure “Oakland County 1820-2020 – The Formative Years

• Amount for research and layout Consultant: $1000

• Printing: $1600 for 2500 booklets ( 8 ½ X 5 ½ with 16 pages

• Brochure would be available for community events, etc. • Project would need a research and layout consultant • Possible corporate sponsors???

Article for Michigan History Magazine none Still working out the details on this one – article would need to fit the theme of one of the upcoming issues

“Milestone Award” from Michigan Historical Society $515

A plaque will be custom-made with your organization, business, or municipality name and founding year. Plaques are made of sturdy cast aluminum finished in navy blue (organization award), brown (business award), or burgundy (municipality award) and measure 15 x 20 inches. The plaque total costs are $515 (non-profit) or $650.70 (for profit) and can be mounted either inside or outdoors.

The Award provides numerous benefits for its recipients:

• Networking Events • Complimentary 1/8th page advertisement in the quarterly Chronicle magazine • Recognition certificate suitable for framing • Milestone Award emblem for your use on websites, social media, and marketing materials • Proclamation in recognition from the Office of the Governor* • Presentation of your plaque by an HSM representative*

*Upon request of the awardee.

Sponsor Workshop for Museums and Historical Societies

Handouts: $100

Refreshments: $250

• Co-sponsors: Oakland County Historical Commission, Oakland County Pioneer and Historical Society, Oakland County Parks, Bloomfield Township Library

• Purpose: to share ideas for community-based Oakland 200 activities and events

Lessons on Oakland County for grades 2, 3, 5, 8 and HS $1500 • Budget would be for educational consultant/curriculum developer

• Depending on how the lessons are disseminated there may be printing costs

Monthly Lecture Series $1200

• Month lecture series on Oakland County Topics such as Mills (History), Glaciation (Geography), Economic Revitalization (economics), County Government: Past and Present (Civics), Cultural Diversity in Oakland County (Anthropology)

• Possible Sponsor and venue: Oakland University

TOTAL: $6565

NOTE: Additional information from Oakland County Parks: Vinyl wrap for trailer to have in parades would be $3,500 -5,000 - trailer may need work at added cost.

Oakland County Bicentennial

Marketing & Events Committee Recommendations

Committee Members: Judy Davids, Kaitlin Keeler, Erica Donerson, V. Gail Simpson

Recommendation 1: Create a Marketing Plan

A marketing plan will be the road map to implement all efforts, it is driven by a set of goals, defines our target audience(s), develops our key messages, and outlines the best way to meet our goals and reach our audiences through: a social media strategy, media relations strategy, events, Community relations/liaison, advertising & PR, and an implementation/promotions calendar.

Cost/Effort: $10,000 +/- $2,000

Recommendation 2: Create Oakland 200 Branding

The Oakland 200 Branding Strategy would create the overall look and feel of the Oakland County Bicentennial with a cohesive logo, graphics, and style guide. This would then be the basis for the PowerPoint template, digital and print marketing materials (website, brochure, social media graphics, etc.).

Cost/Effort: Lead by Oakland County Executive Office Graphics Artist

Recommendation 3: Create Event Strategy and List, Hire Event Management Professionals

A list of events ideas and a high-level timeframe has been provided. Two signature events:

• 3/28/2017 Bicentennial Ball -have affordable ticket prices and offer sponsorships. Include Bicentennial Ceremony, proclamation, time capsule, etc.

• Free Summer Festival – Late July, in a location that is inclusive to everyone. Need to determine duration and main attraction- music, fireworks, race, craft show, activities, etc. with in budget.

Cost/Effort: Hire an event management professional. Utilize the Bicentennial Ball as a Fundraiser for the Free Summer Festival

ATTACHED: Detailed Spreadsheet that organized initial Study Group ideas by: Marketing, Branding, Content, Web, Social Media, and Events with a description of each idea, and high-level estimate of effort.

Monuments & Legacy Committee Report

Judge Michael Warren & Bill Bullard

Nonmember Support - Chanelle Manus

Small Monuments

Columbus Monument

Southington, CT

Unveiled on Columbus Day 2017 – 525th Anniversary of the

Discovery of America

Located at John Weichsel Municipal Center

Cost: $15,000

Material: Vermont Grey Granite

Funds Raised by Five Groups and an Individual

Artist: Mathieu Memorials

Approximately 7 feet high

Monument Committee led by Coordinator Dick Fortunato

Fallen Veterans “TAPS” Monument Clay County, FL

Unveiled in 2017

Located Outside the Old Clay Count Courthouse

Cost: $82,000

Material: Bronze & Granite

Funds Raised by Private Funds, Spearheaded by the Vietnam Veterans of America Clay County Chapter 1059

Artist: Richard C. Rist, The Large Art Company (Baltimore, MD)

Dimensions: 5’ x 5’

Monument Committee led by Harold Rutledge

Additional Facts: Lists veteran’s names who died that were from Clay County

Purple Heart Memorial

Rolla, MO

Installed August 2017, Dedicated October 2017

Located at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Phelps County

Cost: Not Disclosed

Funds Raised by South Central Regional Veterans Group

Material: Stone and Imbedded Tempered Glass

Dimensions: Not Disclosed

Artist: Phelps County Monument company

MLK Jr Monument

Rome, GA

Unveiled in October 2017

Located at Five Points Intersection in Rome GA

Cost: $25,000

Material: Granite

Funds Raised by Private Funds through a Grassroots Committee Effort

Artist: Robert Noble

Dimensions: 5’ x 10’

Monument Committee Led by Delores Chatman

Michigan Gold Star Families

Memorial

Bay, City, MIUnveiled in September 2017

Located at Bay City Battery Park

Cost: $100,000

Material: Black Granite

Funds Raised by Bay Veterans Foundation

Artist: WTA Architects, Soils and Materials Engineering, MacMillan and Associates, and Serenus Johnson Construction Company

Height: Not Disclosed

Monument committee led by Hershel Woody Williams, last surviving Medal of Honor recipient of Battle of Iwo Jima (WWII)

Additional fact: Part of a large dedication of monuments across the country

Confederate Soldiers Monument

Aiken, SC

Unveiled in October 2017

Located on Private Land in Aiken, SC

Cost: $5,000

Material: Granite

Funds Raised by Sons of Confederate Veterans

Artist: Baston Monuments of Elberton, GA

Height: 7’

Monument Committee led by Danny Francis

Veteran’s Monument

“Living Memorial”

Lake Orion, MIPark with Multiple Monuments Located in Lake Orion

Initial Cost: $880,000 ($190K federal funds requested by

Congressman Joe Knollenburg and $690K Private Donations)

Note: There have been several additional monuments

contributed by private families and other donations.

Material: Stone, Bronze, Bricks, Rock, Granite

Funds Raised by Monument Committee

Artists: Joe Guinn (Guinn Construction Co.), Aspen Building Co.,

Jacobson Flowers, Frank Varga, Steve Leach, Joe Zikewich, Ajax

Paving(Parking Lot), and Gibbs Landscaping Company

Monument committee led by Dr. Joe Mastromatteo

Fallen Heroes Monument

Oakland County, MI

Statue unveiled 2002, Granite wall unveiled in November 2005

Located in Pontiac

Cost: Unknown Per Sheriff’s Office

Material: Statues Bronze, Wall Granite

Funds Raised by donations rom Private Citizens Foundations,

Community Groups, and Corporations

Artist: Statue - Brodin Studios, MN; Granite Tablets – Inch

Memorial, Northville, MI

Height: Not Disclosed

Monument committee led by Oakland County Sheriff Mike

Bouchard

Additional fact: Annual Ceremony held on September 11

(beginning of Patriot week) to add recent heroes names.

Notable “Ah, that’s (insert region here)” Monuments

Martin Luther King Jr. National Monument,

Washington, D.C.

Erected: July 2011

Located at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Cost: $120M

Material: Shrimp Marble Granite & Granite Slabs

Funds: Raised largely by fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha from individuals and charities

Artist: Lei Yixin

Height: 30’

Additional facts: Quotes from MLK are inscribed in the area surrounding the monument.

Date Unveiled September 11, 2011

Located at the Site of the Former World Trade Center Twin Towers

Cost: $700M+, $60M yearly operations cost

Materials: Bronze, Stone, and Greenery

Funds Raised by Private Groups Subsidized by Significant Contributions from the Federal Government (HUD), and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Artists: Michael Arad, Hadel Architects and Peter Walker & Partners

Height: 30’

Additional facts: The names of each person who died in the September 11 and WTC bombing in 1993 are inscribed into bronze panels.

World Trade Center Memorial

New York, NY

Joe Louis Fist

Detroit, MI

Dedicated October 1986

Located on Jefferson Avenue in Downtown Detroit

Cost: Not Disclosed (Donated by Sports Illustrated)

Material: Bronze and Painted Steel

Funds Raised by Sports Illustrated

Artist: Robert Graham

Dimensions: 24’ x 24’

Gift from Sports Illustrated to the City of Detroit to

commemorate the fight which was deemed a “moral victory

for the city”

Jefferson National

Expansion Memorial

St. Louis, MOCreated in December 1935, Construction Completed

October 1965

Located at the site of the City of St. Louis’ founding

Cost: $13M = $195M (2016) for the arch alone.

Including area development over the course of 30

years was $51.3M = $745.4M (2016)

Material: Steel, Stainless Steel, and Concrete

Initial Funds Provided by Congress (National Park Service)

Artist: Eero Saarinen and Hannskarl Brandel

Dimensions: 630’ x 630’, legs are 54’ that narrow to 17’ at

the arch

Spirit of Detroit

Detroit, MI

Erected in 1958

Located at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center on

Jefferson Ave.

Cost: $58K (1950s) = $1.29M (2016)

Funds Raised by Private Civic Funds

Material: Bronze, oxidized by acid to turn the statue green

Artist: Marshall Fredericks

Height: 26’

Korean War Veterans MemorialWashington, D.C.

Unveiled in 1995

Located on the National Mall in Washington D.C.

Cost: $18M=$24.9M (2012)

Material: Stainless Steel, Black Granite, Greenery

Funded by private and public fund donations

Artist: Frank Gaylord & Louis Nelson

Material: Stainless Steel (statues), Black Granite and

Concrete

Dimensions: Statues 7’3-6”, located on 2.2 acres