Preservation of Novi,
Mutch Appreciated
by Bernie Fratto
May 2003

Kathleen Mutch knows a thing or two about Novi, and she has witnessed the growth and evolution firsthand. When she first arrived at the No. 6 postal stop in 1971, the population was less than 10,000. There were only 3 elementary schools, there were no grocery stores, and you couldn’t find a tanning salon anywhere!

There was no Twelve Oaks Mall or Town Center, the current Novi High School did not exist at its present location, and in fact, the only major paved roads were 8 Mile, 10 Mile, Novi Road, and Grand River.

Fast forward to 2003. Novi boasts a population of over 50,000, and first-class facilities for education, shopping and entertainment. Believe it not, Novi even offers over 100 eating establishments. But as Novi grows and prospers, many feel strongly its important that the city maintain a reverence for it’s roots, it’s history and the physical evidence that helped to form the community as it stands today.

Enter Preservation Novi... Preservation Novi, a non-profit, tax-exempt organization was founded in 1993, and its goal is to encourage and promote historic preservation, and to raise funds for educational and preservation projects as well. In addition, its charter is to help educate the residents of Novi about the historic resources of our city. As the president of Preservation Novi, Kathleen Mutch believes passionately that while progress is inevitable, maintaining a reverence for our roots and our history is important, and as a community, “we could do a lot more.”

"This shows the way a group of people has changed and grown in its diversity while sharing values from generation to generation," Mutch stated.

Preservation Novi endeavors to foster an appreciation for the past, while acknowledging progress, growth and evolution. But at the same time reminding us that, “people came before you, and people will come after you.”

Research has indicated to Kathleen Mutch, that when people are looking for a community to live in, “the places they name are areas that have held onto their history, character, and the physical evidence of the past,” Mutch recalled.

As such, the first project for Preservation Novi was to fund an architectural study of the 1876 Novi Methodist Church in an effort to save it from demolition. The solution was to relocate, and the building was successfully moved to a site on Beck Road just south of Ten Mile. This was completed in 1997 and since then, additional efforts have been made to restore it for usage again as a Church.

However, their most recent effort has become a great source of civic pride. Preservation Novi applied to become one of six Michigan sites to host the Smithsonian Barn Again! This event features an American Icon exhibit, and the City of Novi is privileged to host the opening as part of the American Icon 2004 National tour. It should be noted that Novi, Michigan is the only site in the entire metropolitan area that will participate in this prestigious function… This of course is a direct result of the efforts of Preservation Novi. Their dedication, in conjunction with the Michigan Humanities Council has made this endeavor possible.

At the and of the day, Preservation Novi is all about acknowledging progress, growth and evolution, while at the same time fostering an appreciation for the past history and the surroundings that contributed to the City of Novi and the way it stands today. There are still homes, buildings and barns that were attached to 160 acre farms, years ago. In fact, Preservation Novi would like to see the City implement a plan for the first farm property on 10 Mile and Taft.

“But we’re realistic,” Kathleen Mutch stated. “No one can afford to maintain old buildings or properties just for the sake of it. But if preservation can provide community benefits and serve a specific public purpose, then it’s a win-win for everybody.”

From the No. 6 Postal stop to the crown jewel of Oakland county, Novi has a lot of history worth preserving… And Mutch effort is underway, thanks to Preservation Novi.