May 16, 2001

Kennards Historians of the Year

Historical society selects Clint and Martha Kennard

By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
       Approaching the end of their ninth decade, Clint and Martha Kennard have seen the world evolve from horsepower to nuclear power in their lifetimes.
      Married 60 years, the couple takes their generation's unique perspective on history seriously and have been active in local historical societies since their retirement to the area more than 30 years ago.
      "We're interested in history because in our lifetime we started out in horse and buggy times and then came cars, airplanes and now rocket ships," Martha Kennard said. "We've seen so many changes in our lives."
      From preserving the Grand Traverse County Courthouse in the 1970s to preserving Building 50 today, both have given countless hours of their time and caring to area historical projects.
      In addition to their leadership on those efforts and in the Grand Traverse Pioneer and Historical Society, Clint is a member of the Railroad Historical Society and the Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War. They are also helping to restore the Miniature City, a 1930s replica of downtown Traverse City.
      Recognizing their contributions over the years, members of the Grand Traverse Pioneer and Historical Society recently named the Kennards Historians of the Year. They will be honored at the society's annual banquet on May 24 at the Heritage Center.
      "He has been involved in so many historical projects over the years," said Bob Wilhelm, a member of the board of the Grand Traverse Pioneer and Historical Society. "He's 87 years old and he is so ambitious about projects; this year, he was instrumental in getting the Christmas tree for the Committee to Preserve Building 50."
      "Martha is always helping and she is famous for her peanut brittle, brings it to every meeting."
      The board broke its own rule this year of excluding board members and nominated the Kennards for this honor because members felt it was time to recognize them, Wilhelm added.
      "They are both fantastic people, both so modest," he said.
      Although Clint Kennard was born in California and moved around the Midwest with his family before growing up in Ohio, he has strong ties to northern Michigan. His mother hailed from the Bellaire area and every summer since 1929 his family vacationed on Bass Lake, living on the island.
      Graduating from high school during the height of the Great Depression, he completed a bachelor's degree in math and physics from the College of Wooster and then a master's degree in Aeronautical Science from MIT. A career in engineering led him from the Air Force to NASA, from which he retired in 1970.
      While he and Martha raised their four children and followed Clint's career, they always found time every summer to head north for vacation, just as his family had during his early years. They also dabbled in history wherever they lived, visiting Civil War battlefields and Mount Vernon while living near Washington, D.C.
      As retirement approached in the late 1960s, the Kennards had no question about where to settle: Traverse City. They purchased land on Wayne Hill in 1969 from Jerry Oleson, who they remember showing the property sporting his traditional white apron.
      After moving here in 1970, they quickly immersed themselves in local historical projects, first joining the Elk Rapids Historical Society and later the Grand Traverse Pioneer and Historical Society. In fact, at their first meeting at the latter group, Clint was elected Vice president. He hasn't looked back since.
      One of the Kennards recent interests is researching the history of their property on Wayne Hill. A former farm, founded by the Ramsdells and later owned by the Oleson family, the Kennards still enjoy a view of a few blooming fruit trees every spring. Clint's research shows that the farm was founded soon after the Civil War, with Mr. and Mrs. Ramsdell traveling from Luddington on horseback. He has found stories about the journey that include the horses' different temperament to how the couple followed old engine trails as they wound their way to Chum's Corners.
      These rich details of life from bygone days keep the Kennards' interest engaged in history.
      "I'm just fascinated by history because it is interesting for me to see how things went on in those days compared to now," Clint Kennard said. "It gives you a feeling of heritage.
      "I believe it is very important to preserve history, it is the forerunner of our future."