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Northfield Township Rural Survey and National Register Project, Northfield Township
Northfield Township Rural Survey and National Register Project, Northfield Township
Northfield Township was established in 1832 and has long been known for its productive agricultural industry and rural character. Preserving these assets is a key part of the Township’s master plan.
In 2018, the Northfield Township Historical Society completed an extensive survey of more than 1,300 properties in the township. The next year, Washtenaw County received a Certified Local Government grant from the State Historic Preservation Office to research historic contexts for agriculture and other themes in a survey report. Completed in 2021, the goal of this phase was to identify and prioritize farmsteads and other properties for preservation and provide a foundation for historic designation efforts.
In 2022, the County received a second CLG grant to build upon these efforts by completing a Multiple Property Documentation Form, and up to five individual nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. The nominations recognized several properties for their early architectural significance and two properties for their association with the Township’s German ethnic heritage. The project concluded in early 2026 with the completion of the form and listing of five new rural properties in the National Register. These property owners are now eligible for historic preservation tax credits, among other benefits.
This multi-phase project to survey and designate rural properties is a model which could be followed in other townships across the state.
The Governor’s Awards for Historic Preservation recognize standout projects across both peninsulas, exemplifying the collaboration and deep impact preservation can have in Michigan communities. Congratulations to: Washtenaw County; Northfield Township Historical Society, Inc.; and Firefly Preservation Consulting, LLC.
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