By Rosalie Currier
February is Black History Month. The Sturgis Historical Society will honor African Americans who lived in Sturgis over the decades. It will be 3 p.m. Feb. 16, at the museum. The event will have three parts:
“Dark Lake” documentary by Mike Mort.
Wallace Weatherly portrayed by Jeff Mullins in the 2021 Oak Lawn Cemetery Tour
The rest of the story by Karen Yoder.
Dark Lake
While Sturgis traditionally never had large groups of African Americans, it had more than some local communities.
One reason is probably because Nathaniel Hatchel, a free black man, owned property on a secluded lake in Fawn River Township in 1850.
“Dark Lake” is Mike Mort’s documentary telling the story of Nathaniel Hatchel and others who grew up in Sturgis.
Wallace Weatherly
We will play the segment of his story as portrayed in the 2021 Oak Lawn Cemetery Tour by Jeff Mullins.
Wallace Weatherly lived in Sturgis after serving with the Michigan 19th Infantry. He graduated from Sturgis Union High School in the 1870s and after college, returned to Sturgis as a lawyer.
The rest of the story
Karen Yoder did extensive research for the “Dark Lake” documentary. She will share stories not included in the movie. Not all paint a pretty picture. Life was difficult for those of color during that time. Karen doesn’t want their struggle to be forgotten, especially after spending hours gathering the stories and the facts.
Mort called Karen “the pit bull of research.” She left no stone unturned in her quest.
Karen took the search personally because as a kindergarten student at Wenzel Elementary one of her classmates was Sara Pperkins.
“My mother told me to be friends with Sara because others might not be so nice to her,” Karen said. “I couldn’t figure out why my mom could tell by looking at someone that kids might not be nice to her.”
Sara was an African American but Karen didn’t notice and obediently invited Sara to come home with her after the first day of school.
Later while preparing for the movie they reconnected. Sara said she never really had friends in Sturgis.
“I was your friend,” Karen protested.
Sara replied, “Did you ever invite me over for a slumber party?’
Karen admitted she had been “nice” to Sara but not really a friend.
We will also welcome those who attend to share their memories and experiences.
Rosalie Currier is the director of the Sturgis Historical Museum ~ at the Depot.
