Up Coming Events and Latest News:
Current CoBACH Exhibit
“Grand River Trail”
“Detroit to Lansing”
CoBACH Summer Hours
October – November
Wednesday—Friday 5—8pm
Saturday 11am—5pm
Sunday 2—5pm
Closed Monday and Tuesday
*** NEW *** BRIGHTON’S GRAND RIVER AVENUE EARLY 1900’s POST CARD SET 1 of 4
Find them in the Gift Shop!
The Brighton Area Historical Society has many collections; one is a collection of Postcards. This collection of postcards came from several sources, Marianna Maclasky, Larry Lawrence, John Rawcliffe, Jim Vichich and others. The collection totals over 300 cards of just the Brighton area. Interestingly the largest collection of Michigan postcards totaling 66,470, is the David V. Tinder collection which has been turned into a searchable digital database by the University of Michigan’s William L. Clements Library.
In an attempted to make available to our members, and the general community, we are putting together four sets of cards with about a dozen cards in each set. The four sets are, Grand River, Main Street, Brighton area lakes and Island Lake. The first set, Grand River, is available today for $10.00 at the CoBACH Center at 202 W. Main Street in downtown Brighton.
A brief history of Postcards in America would start in the mid-19th century, but it wasn’t until the 1880’s that the modern postcard format we are familiar with today began to gain popularity. In 1898, Congress passed the Private Mailing Card Act, which allowed private printers to produce postcards that could be mailed for a penny. These postcards were known as “Private Mailing Cards” and were the precursor to the official government – issued postcards that would come later. The early 20th century is often referred to as the “Golden Age of Postcards” in America. During this time, postcards became incredibly popular as a means of communication and a way to share images of travel destinations, landmarks, and everyday life. In 1907, the United Postal Service allowed for the production of postcards with a divided back, meaning that the address could be written on one side and message on the other. An interesting thing about postcards over the years has been the cost of mailing. It was a penny postcard from July 1, 1989, until November 2, 1917, when it was raised to 2 cents as a war time emergency. On July 1, 1919, it was returned to 1 cent. A couple dates to see the rate increases are August 1, 1958; 2 cents again; January 7, 1968, 5 cents; January 10, 1999, 20 cents and on July 12, 2026, 65 cents.
To learn about mail delivery in Brighton check out our story entitled, “The Brighton Area receives mail” by Marianna Bair on the BAHS website at Brightonareahistorical.com December 2014 through April 20, 2015.
Membership Matters!
What do I get for my BAHS membership?
There are clubs and there are causes. Many join clubs… to use the golf course to socialize with a select group of folks or to get special deals on merchandise. We at the BAHS would rather think of investing in a cause. Our members come together from a wide range of interests and experiences. Together we make a huge difference for our community, families and ourselves.
This world is better when we can observe around the bend and down the street, people working to maintain and preserve the history of the community we love.
Your continued BAHS membership is significant because it provides BAHS with a base of reoccurring funds to do the tasks and projects we do. Your membership dues, donations and sponsorships assist this effort and provides a revenue stream for our future.
Memberships, Donations and Sponsorships Matter! Strengthening our community, one member at a time.
BRIGHTON AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY NEEDS YOU!
Steve Black, Jerry Damon, Tony Ferreyra — BAHS Membership Committee
We are please to announce that you may now purchase or renew a membership and make a donation online, or go shopping at our Gift Shop! Just click on the buttons below.
or BAHS ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL-2026 / Sponsorship form download
*** BRIGHTON AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY ***
LARRY LAWRENCE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The Larry Lawrence Memorial scholarship will be given yearly to a graduating senior from the Brighton Area that is going to a Vocational School. The scholarship will be for $2500.00 to support the awardee in his or her education.
For more information, please refer to the Larry Lawrence Memorial Scholarship Program by clicking here: