Wixom Historical Society

Founded in 1975 to preserve the history of Wixom and promote an understanding of the city's heritage.

Our Goals

  1. Maintaining the Wixom Wire House as a local museum.
  2. Collecting, archiving, and conserving artifacts and written materials related to the city’s history.
  3. Increasing the community’s knowledge of local history through educational programs.
  4. Building the Society’s membership and fostering community involvement.
  5. Identifying and implementing additional methods of preserving our city’s past.

Upcoming Programs and Events

  • Monday, September 16, 2019 @ 6:30 PM – Welcome Back Potluck & Jim Allen Presents Lewis & Clark: The Trail Today – Wixom City Hall, 49045 Pontiac Tr.
  • Thursday, September 26, 2019 @ 11 AM – Dedication of The Gibson House Sign – Gibson House, 49805 Pontiac Tr.
  • Monday, October 21, 2019 @ 7 PM – Author John Cohassey Presents: Michigan’s 22nd Infantry: Local Boys Go to War – Gibson House, 49805 Pontiac Tr.
  • Monday, November 18, 2019 @ 7 PM – Ric Mixter: Ghosts Beneath the Water – Wixom City Hall 49045 Pontiac Tr.
  • Sunday, December 8, 2019 From 4 till 7 PM – Annual Wassail & Open House – Gibson House, 49805 Pontiac Tr.
  • Monday, January 20, 2020 @ 6:30 PM – Annual Meeting & Potluck – Gibson House, 49805 Pontiac Tr.
  • Monday, February 17, 2020 @ 7:00 PM – Program TBA – Wixom Community Center, 49045 Pontiac Tr.
  • Monday, March 16, 2020 @ 7:00 PM – Program TBA – Wixom City Hall 49045 Pontiac Tr.
  • Monday, April 20, 2020 @ 7:00 PM – Program TBA – Wixom Community Center 49045 Pontiac Tr.
  • Sunday, Date 2020 TBA From Noon till 4 PM – Annual Ice Cream Social & Wixom’s Founder’s Day Festival – Gibson House, 49805 Pontiac Tr.

Board of Directors

  • President; Website Contact – Laure Dorchak
  • Vice President; Publicity Chairperson – Nancy Dingeldey
  • Secretary; Newsletter Editor – Jackie Coulter
  • Treasurer – Kathy Matusik
  • Trustee – Graham Bennett
  • Trustee – Nancy Bennett
  • Trustee – Bertha King
  • Trustee – Leo Matusik
  • Trustee – Laurie Acunsius
  • Trustee – Sarah Zalewski
  • Trustee – Roberta Meredith

The Beginning of the Wixom Historical Society

1975 … springtime in Wixom at a luncheon hosted by Beverly Paisley, wife of Peter Paisley, owner of The Korex Company. The nation was looking forward to celebrating its Bicentennial, so much chatter centered on the subject of history. Nancy Dingeldey offered the idea of forming an historical society in the small active community, which was immediately embraced by notable long-time residents Hilda Furman, Mildred Gibson, Lillian Spencer and Sylvia Vangieson. The idea bloomed and within a few months, the Wixom Historical Society was formed. Margaret Ladd was elected its first president, Nancy Dingeldey, vice president, Helen Tillman, secretary and Thom Coulter, treasurer.

The group embarked on presenting monthly programming and immediately focused on July 4, 1976- the U.S. Bicentennial. They planned the first Fourth of July celebration in Wixom. Later, Ladd would be instrumental in convincing the Wixom City Council to purchase the property and house at Wixom and Maple Roads. Through countless hours and true dedication, the Wixom-Wire Museum was established and named as a State Historical Landmark along with the Wixom Cemetery.

Today, the Wixom Historical Society continues its longstanding tradition of offering free educational programming, hosting the Annual Ice Cream Social at the Wixom-Wire House Museum, showcasing the Gibson House with the Holiday Wassail, and participating in the May Founder’s Festival.