Preservationists of the Year

2023 Preservationist of the Year: Janet Roncelli

Apr 6, 2023
1 min read

Updated: May 25, 2023

Updated with video and photos on May 25, 2023.

Preservation Bloomfield and The Friends of Preservation Bloomfield honored Janet Roncelli as the 2023 Preservationist of the Year on Friday, April 21, 2023 at the Iroquois Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

While serving Bloomfield Township as an elected official for 24 years, Dr. Jan Roncelli has shown her unwavering support for Preservation Bloomfield and The Friends of Preservation Bloomfield. She has served as Chairperson of The Annual Corn Roast, supported every Gingerbread Luncheon and many more events to preserve the Barton Farmhouse and the Craig Log Cabin. This award honors Roncelli for generosity.

Watch the Recording of Event Speakers on YouTube

“Jan has been a champion of Preservation Bloomfield since its inception in 2008 and is a friend to all,” said Preservation Bloomfield Board President Michael J. Dul. “She consistently chaired fundraising events and offered unwavering support and influence for our organization including Friends of Preservation Bloomfield. During her long career as the Bloomfield Township Clerk she made a difference and became an important part of our success in preserving the Barton Farmhouse and the Craig Log Cabin with the mission to support community, historical preservation, and education.”

Proceeds from the event benefited the endowment fund promised to the community from the outset of moving the historic Barton Farmhouse to the school farm and will eventually provide for the maintenance of the house, cabin, and property.

Preservation Bloomfield is a non-profit, all-volunteer community organization formed to preserve and protect two historically-relevant homes in Bloomfield, Michigan.

2017 Preservationist of the Year: Mary Barton Letts

May 2, 2017
1 min read

Mary Barton Letts (pictured left) was honored as the 2017 Preservationist of the Year. The Barton family had owned the Barton farmhouse since the 1930s. In accepting the award, Mary spoke about growing up in the house and how her mother loved it deeply.

Mary also received a proclamation of appreciation from the Oakland County Board of Commissioners, with Friend of Preservation Bloomfield and Oakland County Commissioner Shelley Goodman Taub (pictured right) making the presentation.

2016 Preservationists of the Year: John and Nancy Marshall

May 4, 2016
1 min read

John Marshall (pictured here at the Barton Farmhouse wall-signing), and John's late wife, Nancy, were selected as the first Preservationists of the Year for their dedication to restoring the Barton farmhouse in an authentic way. In addition to their contributions to the house, John regularly cuts the lawn, opens the house, greets visitors, operates the heating and AC systems , sweeps floors, keeps perfect meeting minutes, and issues reminders and messages about upcoming board meetings. We'd be lost without him. Thank you, John!