A200 BICENTENNIAL LEGACY PROJECT MEDIA COVERAGE
Bicentennial Investments
​
For its 200th birthday, Ann Arbor is honoring its past by raising money for its future.
The James L. Crawford Elks Lodge has a commanding presence at the northeast end of Sunset Rd., high on a hill overlooking the Huron River. The substantial brick-and-stone building has been a pillar of Ann Arbor’s Black community for eight decades.
​
For this reason, it has been chosen as one of three A200 Legacy Projects. These fundraising campaigns, launched by the city of Ann Arbor, are just some of the many ways the city is observing its bicentennial.
Ann Arbor's Black Elks Lodge launches fundraiser to renovate building after a century of service
A new campaign associated with Ann Arbor's bicentennial seeks to raise $370,000 for the organization, which has long served Ann Arbor's Black community and many others.
​
For over a century, the James L. Crawford Elks Lodge at 220 Sunset Rd. on Ann Arbor's West Side has been much more than merely a home base for the local chapter of the world's largest Black fraternal organization.
Ann Arbor aims to raise funds to renovate Elks Lodge for city’s 200th anniversary
ANN ARBOR, MI — As Ann Arbor turns 200 years old, community leaders are raising money for multiple legacy projects to mark the bicentennial year in 2024.
​
One of them is the James L. Crawford Elks Lodge, which they say has been an important place for Black residents for over 100 years and is now in need of upgrades to ensure it can continue to sustain operations and thrive for years to come...
Ann Arbor celebrates city’s 200th Birthday in style
ANN ARBOR, MI — Local author John U. Bacon said he was once taught Ann Arbor’s founders — John Allen and Elisha Rumsey — were stout pioneers of good character.
​
“And that’s not true — they were both shameless land flippers,” he said, drawing laughs as he addressed the crowd at Ann Arbor’s bicentennial kickoff celebration Friday night, Jan. 19...