Categories: Organizations
36045 Park Street
Richmond, MI 48062
Description: The Richmond Area Historical and Genealogical Society (RAHGS) is a non-profit organization established in January 1990 when a group of citizens gathered in the Richmond Public Library to pursue a common interest: the preservation of a 19th Century one-room schoolhouse, which then was located in the middle of a cornfield owned by James McKiernan of Richmond Township. Shortly thereafter, the newly formed Society was offered a former Grand Trunk Railroad Depot from Columbus Township, which was located at that time on private property on Rattle Run owned by Joseph Maranzano. Members and interested individuals were able to save these historic buildings from the wrecking ball by moving them to the Bailey Park property donated by the City of Richmond. In 1996, the descendants of John Donley, formerly of Lenox Township, donated a log cabin, complete with outhouse, which was also moved to the park. In 2007 the Society raised funds and built a replica Blacksmith Shop to sit alongside the historic buildings. The building was completed in the spring of 2009 and serves as a museum, office space, and additional storage.