Romulus Chamber names Pearl Varner Person of the Year

On Dec. 14, the Greater Romulus Chamber of Commerce surprised Pearl Varner of Van Buren Township by letting her know that she had been selected to be the 30th Romulus Person of the Year.
The committee knew where they would find her in order to make the announcement. She was at the Romulus Historical Museum where she has served as the Museum Director since she was appointed to that position in 1996.
The selection was announced to the community at the Romulus Chamber of Commerce January Business Luncheon. She will be honored at a dinner that will be held on Saturday, April 25. The public is invited to attend.
Pearl was selected for her commitment to the growth and preservation of the Romulus Historical Society. She makes sure that the museum complex is open every Sunday from 1-4 p.m. The museum is only closed in the event of inclement weather, or on a major holiday weekend. Pearl has often made the comment that her family knows where to find her on Mother’s Day. Pearl has not received any compensation for performing her duties. She does this out of love for the Romulus community.
The museum’s artifacts occupy two buildings, an 1839 Romulus School House (District #1) which was moved to the park in 1986, opening to the public in 1991, and the historic 1855 Kingsley House. The Kingsley house is a unique duplex structure, which was moved to the park in 1995, and opened to the public in 2002. Pearl’s father Fred and her late mother Helen led the push to save both of these buildings. Without their backing, neither of these projects may have come to fruition.
Pearl utilizes an all-volunteer staff to open both of the buildings to the public. She also supervises people that are supplied by the 34th District Court Work Program. Current and former Romulus residents, visitors, history buffs, and those that are researching family history and genealogy are able to access a wealth of information that is contained in the archives of the two buildings. Pearl established these archives in 2001 and they continue to grow as the museum receives more material.
Including the two of these buildings, there are a total of five historic structures on the property that is known as Romulus Historical Park, which is located in the downtown area. Pearl’s father Frederick W. Hay was serving as the first chairman of the Romulus Historical Commission when this park was dedicated in the fall of 1992.
The other three structures are vital to Romulus history. There is a circa 1900s Wabash Railroad Freight House, which is the only surviving railroad building in the city. There is a circa 1940s caboose, which traveled the railroad tracks through Romulus, and a windmill that was located on the Mach family farm north of the airport.
The progress that occurred in this area has spanned a period of around 30 years and three city administrations: the late Mayor William Oakley, the late Mayor Beverly McAnally and former Mayor Alan Lambert. Prior to 1986, none of these buildings were located on this property. It was a blighted area which included an abandoned foundry and several derelict buildings along Hunt Street.
Pearl became interested in researching and preserving history as a young girl when she was influenced by her maternal grandmother Flora Morris. Her grandmother taught Pearl the family genealogy regarding her grandmother and grandfather. This evolved into a quest to learn as much as she could about Romulus history. Her family settled in the township of Romulus in 1854, shortly after it was organized in 1835.
In 1978, the State of Michigan recognized the Merrill-Morris house located on Huron River Drive as a Michigan Historical site. This house was owned by Pearl Morris, a sister to Pearl’s mother Helen. Pearl Morris grew up in this house.
The recognition of this house by the State of Michigan created an idea to start a local Historical Society. The late Mayor William Oakley called a meeting to see if he could obtain at least 10 interested people to form the society. It became a reality in 1979. Pearl is one of the 20 charter members and served as the first president. She served in this capacity for 14 years and served as vice president for three years.
Since 1979, a great deal of progress has occurred with the advancement of the society through the years. Pearl was fortunate to work alongside many city officials and other Historical Society members in order to continue to improve the city. The first program that the society embarked upon was the recognition of 14 local historical sites. This occurred between 1979 and 1998. The 15th historical site was recognized in 2006 as the centennial farm that belongs to Pearl’s parents was added to the list.
1985 was a very important year for the city as it celebrated its 150th anniversary – its Sesquicentennial. A collaborative effort occurred between the city and the society to hold many events during that year. There was a parade, several dinners and dances, and several programs regarding Romulus history. It was during that year that the Romulus Historical Commission was formed to compliment the Romulus Historical Society. As previously mentioned, Pearl’s father was the first chairman and he continues to serve as a commissioner.
In 1987 the State of Michigan caught up to the City of Romulus as it celebrated its Sesquicentennial. There were a few programs that occurred in the city to commemorate this event.
Pearl was born to Frederick W. and Helen Hay during World War II. She was born at the local Romulus Hospital on Goddard Road. (Incidentally, the building is still there and is now the Witherow Woods apartments.)
She is the oldest of four children. Her siblings are Margie, Frederick and Carla. She grew up on Huron River Drive near Eureka Road.
Pearl attended Romulus Community Schools and graduated in 1960 as the valedictorian of her class. She continued her education and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Science and Math from Michigan State University. She taught high school for several years. Then she worked at Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical Company in Ann Arbor as a research assistant. She currently teaches piano lessons and is a math tutor.
She married Virgil L. Varner on Dec. 26, 1964. Virgil ran his own electrical contracting business and is also retired from General Motors. They reside in the adjacent community of Van Buren Township, but Pearl and Virgil spend a great deal of their waking hours in the community of Romulus. They have two sons, Darius and Lloyd, and they are residents of Romulus. Her sons reside on the original family homestead property. Their grandchildren, Hanna and Asa, have and continue to participate in many historical events and activities.
Pearl has not only committed herself to the Romulus Community, but has enlisted the help of her parents, brother, sisters, her sons and their families, grandchildren, nieces and nephews. It is labor of love for the whole family and they have utilized their talents and labor on many of the projects that have occurred throughout the years.
She also has a group of dedicated volunteers that belong to the Romulus Historical Society and the Romulus Historical Commission. Each one of these individuals, too numerous to name individually, have worked alongside Pearl to improve the community.
The next major ongoing project will be the complete restoration of the Peter C. Bird home, which was built by a Civil War veteran in 1878. A lot of progress has already occurred on this structure. Pearl has secured donations for the naming right of the rooms of the house, which included a donation from her father. Pearl, the Romulus Historical Society, and the Romulus Historical Commission are currently working with the city and Mayor LeRoy Burcroff to make this project a reality.
A dinner will be held at the Detroit Airport Marriott Hotel on Saturday, April 25. There will be a reception at 6 p.m. with dinner at 7 p.m. Cost is $35 per person and there will be a cash bar. This is open to anyone who wishes to attend, but reservations are required.
Contact the Romulus Chamber office at (734) 893-0694 or email at [email protected] .