The Quest for Eliza’s Diaries

You can help.

We’ve come across something unique in Fair Haven’s history. The Howell family came to Fair Haven in the 1840s and Eliza Howell was born in 1854. Many people remember her brother, Frank Howell, who ran the silent picture show in Fair Haven and the undertaking parlor and the early telephone switchboard above his store.

Eliza wrote personal diaries from 1871-1878. These diaries were unknown until now. Somehow six of these diaries ended up with a woman in Michigan who is willing to sell them to the Sterling Historical Society. The diaries mention many local people in Fair Haven as well as the Railroad Celebration when the final spike was driven upon the completion of the rail line to North Fair Haven, and the Fair Haven small pox scare, and the birth of her younger brother, Frank, etc. etc. They cover the time period during Fair Haven’s boom years just after the railroad was completed and the port was in its heyday in the 1870s just after the Civil War.

This is a unique view of life in Fair Haven during this period in our history. It is important for these one-of-a-kind diaries to be preserved and studied.

If we can find people who will each contribute a few dollars we can preserve this unique resource. We are looking for pledges toward saving these diaries. If we don’t raise enough pledges, then of course no contribution is necessary. Each tax deductible contribution to the Sterling Historical Society will be helpful. The Society will then purchase the diaries.

If you know anyone who may be able to help, please spread the word.