Posted on behalf of Cameron Whalen, Information Resources Assistant.
Over the summer, I attended the final Flint History Bike Tour of the semester. Just under an hour long, the tour was led by Academic Success Specialist Mary Ann Kost and the Rec Center’s Facilities Assistant Director Ervin Leavy. I enjoyed learning about the locations we visited on the tour and wished I had signed up to participate earlier in the summer. When I heard that the tour guides didn’t think they’d have the capacity to continue the rides in the fall semester, I volunteered to lead them. This fall, we have been able to have four weeks of Flint History Bike Rides! The rides were open to students, staff, and faculty, with bikes and helmets provided by the Rec Center.
Our first trip in September covered locations along Kearsley Street, previously known as “Mansion Rowe,” including the Whaley House, the Cultural Center, and Applewood Estate. Next, we revisited two summer semester locations, Stockton House and Spring Grove (along 2nd St.), and learned how an enslaved woman named Rachel took her enslaver, Col. Thomas Stockton, to court in 1834 and legally won her own freedom. Then we rode through Woodlawn Park, one of Flint's wealthiest neighborhoods, which was home to many influential Flint families, including the Lebanese immigrant founder of one of mid Michigan's most popular grocery stores: Hamady Brothers. During our final ride in October, we discussed the history of Flint Central High School on our way to the Ross House, donated to UM-Flint in 1971 to serve as the Chancellor’s house.
I started every ride by promoting the Genesee Historical Collection Center, our archives, which is the best place to go if you’re looking for Flint history, want to chat with helpful archivists, or just need a quiet place to study. If you weren’t able to join us on our flint history bike tours, we’d love to have you along next fall!
University of Michigan-Flint
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