Open: 2nd Sundays & 3rd Fridays, 1-4 pm
Closed: Holiday weekends and when a GWBHS program is elsewhere.
** Please check event locations carefully and check this page for the latest updates. **
Open: 2nd Sundays and 3rd Fridays, 1-4 pm
Apple Island Tours Euchre Fundraiser
Saturday, October 10, 2026
($25 participation fee per player)
Orchard Lake Community Church, 5171 Commerce Road
- 6:15 pm – Training and practice rounds (for newbies and those who have not played euchre in a while)
- 6:30 pm – Registration and check-in begin
- 7:00 pm – Tournament begins
- 9:15 pm – Tournament ends
- 9:30 pm – Awards
Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society (GWBHS) holds yearly public tours of West Bloomfield School District’s (WBSD) Apple Island during the second weekend in June. The yearly cost of this program has been increasing due to liability insurance, transportation costs and more. Currently, we estimate the cost to transport one person to and from the island at $50, meaning it would cost a family of four $200 to tour the island. Our Board of Directors believes this price would discourage a significant number of individuals and families from touring Apple Island. Thus, we would like to raise $5,000 to help offset this program’s cost and allow more people to tour the island at family-friendly prices.
The roots of Orchard Lake Community Church (OLCC) were planted on Apple Island by Colin and Caroline Campbell in the 1860’s as they hosted summer worship services in their home on Apple Island. Out of the prayers of the Campbell family and others – and a lot of hard work (including selling grapes to help pay for construction), Orchard Lake Church was founded as a summer chapel in 1871. The original building, what is referred to today as “Heritage Hall”, was dedicated on July 18, 1874.
Join us for a Euchre Night at OLCC in Heritage Hall (where a permanent historical display is exhibited), in cooperation with OLCC. All funds raised, less any expenses, will be donated to GWBHS specifically to offset the costs of providing Apple Island Tours. Beverages and snacks will be available for sale. Silent auction too! To donate contact Gary Forhan, garyforhan@ameritech.net. GWBHS will receive funds so they can continue to provide public tours of Apple Island at a reasonable cost.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day Open House
Sunday, October 11, 2026, 1-4 pm
(Free admission, donations appreciated)
Orchard Lake Museum, 3951 Orchard Lake Road
Indigenous peoples are known to have lived in West Bloomfield at the time of the first official survey in 1817. Come learn more about them!
Open House
Friday, October 16, 2026, 1-4 pm
(Free admission, donations appreciated)
Orchard Lake Museum, 3951 Orchard Lake Road
Permanent exhibits interpret local area history and culture.
Orchard Lake Nature Sanctuary Autumn Nature Walk
Sunday, October 18, 2026, 2-3 pm
(Free admission, donations appreciated)
4700 Pontiac Trail
Join naturalist Carol Fink for a walk through rolling terrain and explore seasonal autumn beauty. Free admission, donations appreciated. Sponsored with Orchard Lake Nature Sanctuary.
Heroes Appreciation Breakfast
Tuesday, November 3, 9-10:30 am
West Bloomfield Middle School, 6000 Orchard Lake Road
Visit GWBHS at the annual West Bloomfield Parks Heroes Appreciation Breakfast and see our historical military memorabilia exhibit! Register through wbparks.org.
GWBHS Military Collection Open House
Sunday, November 8, 2026, 1-4 pm
(Free admission, donations appreciated)
Orchard Lake Museum, 3951 Orchard Lake Road
See military gear, newspaper articles, photos, uniforms from the GWBHS collection. Learn about Revolutionary War veteran and later West Bloomfield resident Levi Greene! Share or donate your family military memories and objects.
Presentation – Local Titans: The David Ward Family & Their Contributions to Orchard Lake
Wednesday, November 11, 2026, 7-8 pm
(Admission to this program is free)
WB Library Main Meeting Room, 4600 Walnut Lake Road
Known as the “Timber King of Michigan,” David Ward made his fortune in the lumber industry. What people may not know is the pivotal role Ward and his family played in Orchard Lake’s development and natural preservation. Follow the Wards through the late 19th and 20th century as researcher Lana LaFortune shares how this influential family left their mark on Greater West Bloomfield.
Pontiac Transportation Museum Trip
Thursday, November 19, 2026, 12:30-3 pm
($23 residents / $28 non-residents)
250 W. Pike Street
Hop on a bus at Drake Sports Park and celebrate 100 years of the Pontiac brand with a trip to the Pontiac Transportation Museum, in collaboration with West Bloomfield Parks! Tour the museum with a docent, then spend some time exploring Pontiac’s rich automotive history. Register through wbparks.org.
Open House
Friday, November 20, 2026, 1-4 pm
(Free admission, donations appreciated)
Orchard Lake Museum, 3951 Orchard Lake Road
Permanent exhibits interpret local area history and culture.
Greater West Bloomfield Black History Open House
Sunday, December 13, 2026, 1-4 pm
(Free admission, donations appreciated)
Orchard Lake Museum, 3951 Orchard Lake Road
The Greater West Bloomfield Diverse History Project is made possible in part by a major grant from America250MI. This project results in three exhibit panels about our local Black, Chaldean and Jewish history. Help celebrate the debut of our local Black history exhibit!
Open House
Friday, December 18, 2026, 1-4 pm
(Free admission, donations appreciated)
Orchard Lake Museum, 3951 Orchard Lake Road
Permanent exhibits interpret local area history and culture.
Monthly Open Houses
2nd Sundays & 3rd Fridays, 1-4 pm
(Free Admission, Donations Appreciated)
Orchard Lake Museum, 3951 Orchard Lake Road
Enjoy temporary and permanent exhibits interpreting area history and culture. Occasionally guest presenters share their interests.