Washington Township is breathing new life into a nearly two-century-old landmark, the Thorington Schoolhouse—an effort led by Supervisor Sam Previti. According to a report by WWJ Newsradio, the township has moved the historic structure to a designated five-acre plot to become the centerpiece of the upcoming Thorington Park, marking a sharp turn from its previous state of neglect at the corner of Mound and 31 Mile roads.
The park, earmarked to feature a play structure, pavilion, and pickleball courts, will also see the addition of an apple orchard, thanks to donations from local orchardists; the township bought the schoolhouse for $125,000 and approved the move with a majority vote from the Board of Trustees, as reported by The Detroit News, Previti emphasized the community effort in this historic relocation and preservation project which included taking videos as an intricate operation hoisted the 1840s structure, disconnecting utilities carefully onto a semi-truck.
WXYZ highlights the challenging process of the move, mentioned by C & A Building Movers owner Fred Christian, as well as the educational angle, the Township is involving Romeo High School students in construction and restoration, incorporating hands-on learning with real historical preservation; inside the schoolhouse now perched on 31 Mile Road, students earlier discovered artifacts like a fourth-grade test from the 1930s and are planning to restore windows with period-specific wavy glass.
