It Will Be Alpheus Felch's Day Too
Nov. 24
It Will Be Alpheus Fetch's Day Too
It took Alpheus Felch to bring the two major parties together.
Who?
How quickly we forget our state history. Felch is a former Michigan governor, U.S. Senator, State Supreme Court Justice and U-M regent who lived from 1804-1896.
And while most Ann Arborites will be looking forward to Nov. 24 as the date when U-M and Ohio State will again clash for the football championship of the Big 10, that day will also be notable in that Felch will be honored prior to the game.
A bipartisan dedication program is planned.
Felch is the man after whom both Felch Street and Felch Park in Ann Arbor are named.
A state-wide group called the “Society of Friends of Alpheus Felch” has been formed, and this group has raised funds for the Nov. 24 celebration honoring Felch and the purchase of a Michigan Historical Commission state marker.
The marker will be officially dedicated in Felch Park, on the University campus in front of the Power Center for the Performing Arts, with ceremonies beginning at 9:45 a.m. on Nov. 24.
State Supreme Court Justice and former Democratic Gov. G. Mennen Williams will deliver the invocation. Ann Arbor Republican Mayor James E. Stephenson will welcome guests. The Huron High School will perform.
State Supreme Court Justice and former Democratic Gov. John Swainson will give an address on Felch’s careers as governor and court justice. U.S. Congressman Marvin L. Esch, R-Ann Arbor, will speak on Felch’s career as senator. And U-M Regent Gerald Dunn, D-Lansing, will make an address on Felch the regent.
Michigan Historical Commission President Hudson Mead will dedicate the marker and C. Grant Barnes, a Detroit lawyer and Felch’s great-grandson, will unveil the marker.
Other state and local officials will be present for the ceremonies along with the chairman of both the Republican and Democratic Parties in Michigan. The public is invited to attend the program.
According to state Republican Party Executive Director Jerry D. Roe, coordinator of the event, “Never before has such a distinguished group of Democrats, Republicans and independents joined together in the interest of Michigan history to make this such an important and unique event.”