Canton Township residents could soon explore the township's historic sites from their smartphones.
The Historic District Commission meets Wednesday, Aug. 5, to discuss STQRY, a digital platform that lets organizations build self-guided walking tours accessible via mobile app or web browser. The meeting agenda, posted by the township, describes the tool as one that would allow the commission to create tours of Canton's historic sites.
Canton has no shortage of candidates. The township owns the restored Sheldon School, an 1870 one-room schoolhouse at Michigan and Sheldon roads listed as a Michigan State historic site. Preservation Park on North Ridge Road houses the Bartlett-Travis House, an 1840s Greek Revival home restored in 2002, and the circa-1845 Clyde/Corwin House. Three of Canton's original nine one-room schoolhouses still stand, including Cherry Hill School at Cherry Hill and Ridge roads.
STQRY uses no-code technology, meaning the commission would not need software developers to publish tours. The platform supports audio, images, video, interactive maps and augmented reality. Organizations including Yale University, the U.S. Forest Service and the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum already use it. According to STQRY's website, annual plans start at $1,285 for local organizations.
The commission, chaired by JoAnn Dionne, will also continue discussion of the Sheldon School under old business. Details on what work is underway at the school were not specified in the agenda.
A second new business item involves an advocacy alert from the National Alliance of Preservation Commissions regarding proposed federal changes to Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. NAPC has said the proposed revisions would reduce opportunities for local communities to weigh in on federal decisions affecting historic places.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Room C of the Township Administration Building, 1150 S. Canton Center Road. Residents needing accommodations should contact Rachelle Howell, human resources manager, at 734-394-5252 in advance.
The commission's next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 7 in Meeting Room A.
Upcoming:
- Aug. 5 — Historic District Commission, 7 p.m., Room C, Township Administration Building
- Oct. 7 — Historic District Commission, Meeting Room A, Township Administration Building
