Editor’s note: In its May 15, 2024, edition, the Sun Times News included a special “Discover Tecumseh” section. It contains articles describing many of the businesses and community life in this charming town. We’re running the articles online and encourage you to add a trip to Tecumseh to your list of fun things to do this summer.
Tecumseh will celebrate a landmark event from July 18th to 21st, 2024 – its 200th anniversary. The bicentennial celebration promises a rich mixture of events capturing both the history and communal spirit of this enduring town.
“The whole town is rallying behind this,” says City & Events Coordinator Rhonda Nowak, emphasizing community involvement. “The number of people who are sharing and talking about this event makes you feel the excitement of the community.”
According to “Tecumseh: The First Century” by Kern Kuipers and Amanda Payeur, Tecumseh’s first settlers arrived in March 1824. Musgrove Evans, Gen Joseph Brown, and Austin Wing formed the Tecumseh Company as a holding company for the land they would purchase to found a new town in the Michigan Territory.
As described by Kuipers and Payeur, Tecumseh’s past speaks to its people’s resilience and innovation. Founded in 1824, Tecumseh was envisioned as a town from its onset. Its early days were marked by hard work and perseverance, with settlers overcoming adversity to build a community in the wilderness. This spirit of determination is echoed in the bicentennial festivities.
Saturday’s schedule commences with a Bicentennial Parade at 10 AM downtown, followed by a Summer Beach Party at 11 AM. Concurrently, the Tecumseh Area Historical Museum will open its doors for special programs. The afternoon offers a historic walking tour and cemetery tours, culminating in a grand fireworks display at Tecumseh High School.
Sunday promises a reflective start with an Ecumenical Service at Riverbend Friends Church. The day is packed with activities, from historical baseball games to the TCA Historical Radio Show featuring the TCA Big Band.
Thursday’s schedule includes a Kiwanis Clock Dedication and a ‘Music in the Park’ concert. Friday continues with a Downtown Block Party and a Historic Art Show, among other activities.
Events also highlight Tecumseh’s deep roots, like the Native American Treaties Display, reflecting on the land’s original inhabitants, and a Historic Downtown Walking Tour, revealing the layered stories of the city’s streets.
The town’s early claim to fame as the first interior Michigan settlement is commemorated through the planned events, which are not only a celebration but also an education. As Nowak points out, “Our Historical Society is heavily involved… the schools have an entire weekend planned of events at the school led by the students.”
The rich agricultural and manufacturing history will be celebrated through displays and presentations. This includes the transformational power of the River Raisin and the enduring beauty of the historic structures that have become the town’s hallmarks.
As Tecumseh stands on the cusp of its third century, the bicentennial celebration is set to honor its history, people, and progress. For more details, residents and visitors are encouraged to visit MyTecumseh.org.
The bicentennial celebration is a blend of communal effort, historical reverence, and forward-looking enthusiasm, poised to mark Tecumseh’s 200th year not just with festivity but with a heartwarming homage to the town’s enduring legacy.
