Our Building
The building that now houses the Fenton Museum and Historical Society was built in 1900 by A.J. Phillips and served as his personal office. He had a factory on the next block that made wooden snow shovels, ironing boards, screen windows, and doors. He died in 1904, leaving the building to the city.
After Phillips's death, the building became the A.J. Phillips Library, and work began in 1906. It functioned as such until 1987 when the library moved to what was originally the Post Office building. It remains here today. At that point, the Phillips building became the Fenton Historical Museum and home to the Fenton Historical Society. It features Queen Anne architecture and the Victorian room still has some of the original items, including A.J. Phillips' desk.
The remodeled research room houses hundreds of books, photos, family history, vital record transcriptions, and other items. New bookshelves and filing cabinets have been installed, along with a new table, chairs, and lighting. We are currently working to transfer documents and research to our computer system for easy access to information.
1900
Andrew J. Phillips had the structure built to be his personal office. Just down the street was his business office as well as the A.J. Phillips Factory, where they produced wooden snow shovels, ironing boards, and screen windows and doors.
1906
After Phillips's death in 1904, the building was left to the city to be used as a library.
The A.J. Phillips Library was begun in 1906.
1987
The library grew beyond what the building could hold. For more space, they moved to what was the old Post Office-- the same location they're in today. The Fenton Historical Society and museum moved into the building.
Today
Our gorgeous building is used to house an extensive genealogy room, cemetery records, and school history. It also features a Victorian Room-- an exact reproduction of what A.J. Phillips's personal office looked like. The back of the building is home to the museum, where you can find clothing, tools, paper goods, newspapers, and other items relating to Fenton's rich history.
