Historian fund hits $10,000

Historian fund hits $10,000

Two major contributions from local business firms have boosted the fund for a salary for city Historian Wystan Stevens to over $10,000.

Stevens, who has served as the city’s unpaid historian for several years, had planned to leave Ann Arbor last August after the Ann Arbor City Council turned down a salary appropriation for the historian post. Later the Council agreed to provide $3,000 “Seed money” which would be added to whatever the Ann Arbor Historical Foundation could raise by public solicitation for the job.

Arthur P. Gallagher, former editor of ThejVnn Arbor News and vice president of the Historical Foundation, announced Thursday that the drive for funds for Stevens’ salary has now reached $10-040. Gallagher and Nicholas Praaken, retired Michigan Bell Telephone Company executive are heading the Foundation’s drive.

The campaign has attracted 80 contributors so far with sums of $1,000 contributed recently by both the Independent Insurance Agents of Ann Arbor and The Ann Arbor News. Earlier this month the J. L. Hudson Company turned over a check for $6,000 to the Historical Foundation.

Gallagher said the public acceptance of the fund drive has been good and contributions are being received from individuals, business firms and local fraternal organizations.

“We’re hoping everyone will take this up as a community project and try to contribute something, no matter what the amount,” the retired editor said.

The Historical Foundation hopes to raise more than $12,000 to pay Steven’s annual salary and expenses. Contributions to the fund are tax deductible and may be mailed to the Kempf House, 312 S. Division St. Ann Arbor, 48104.