In recognition of their many years of supporting Mackinac State Historic Parks, the Timmons-Rearick Family has been honored with the second annual G. Mennen Williams Stewardship Award. Named in honor of late Michigan Governor G. Mennen “Soapy” Williams, the award honors a person, group, or entity that has significantly helped restoration, preservation, or museum program efforts at Mackinac State Historic Parks. The award is given by Mackinac State Historic Parks in conjunction with Mackinac Associates, the friends group that supports the state parks system.
Clayton and Anna Timmons were longtime members of the Mackinac Island community, having made their home on the island after retiring from their teaching careers. Known for their widespread generosity, the Timmons supported many local organizations, including Mackinac State Historic Parks.
“For well over 30 years there was not a campaign or ask by Mackinac Associates or the parks that Clayton and Anna Timmons did not contribute to,” said Steve Brisson, director of Mackinac State Historic Parks. “Without a question asked and with no expectation of recognition they always came forward to support us.”
While both have passed away, their legacy of giving continues with their daughter and her family, Carol and Doug Rearick, who have been generous in their support of recent fundraising campaigns, Brisson said.
“My parents would be so honored by the Stewardship Award,” Carol Rearick said. “Or perhaps I should say that my father would be quietly delighted, and my mother would be asking ‘Why would they be giving us an award for doing what we should be doing?’ When you love a community, and want to be part of it, you need to give back to it, with your time or money or both.”
The Timmons had a love of history and deep understanding of the professional museum program offered by MSHP. For one example, Brisson said, the couple funded a seasonal collections assistant position for two seasons, after funding cuts forced the role to be eliminated from the budget.
“They understood what it took to care for historic artifacts and that it was at the heart of what we do,” Brisson said.
“Both my parents loved history, but especially my father,” she continued. “Many of our family trips included history, from battle fields, to museums, to historical sites. Greenfield village and Henry Ford Museum were family excursions that were made several times every year.”
Carol Rearick accepted the award on behalf of her family at the annual G. Mennen Williams Mackinac Celebration, held in June.
“My parents would have been very pleased to be honored at the event, surrounded by friends who also shared their passion for history and preserving it on the Island that they loved,” she said.
Gov. Williams served as Michigan’s chief executive for 12 years, from 1948 until 1960. He is remembered for overseeing the development of the Mackinac Bridge and the professional museum program at Mackinac State Historic Parks in 1958. The annual Mackinac Celebration named in his honor was held at his former summer home on the West Bluff, The Pines, which is now owned by the Richard and Jane Manoogian Foundation.
Nominees for the annual G. Mennen Williams Stewardship award do not have to be members of Mackinac Associates or donors to receive the award.
The inaugural recipients of the stewardship award in 2025 Richard and Jane Manoogian. The Manoogian are local philanthropists who have supported many Mackinac State Historic Projects over the years, most notably including the Mackinac Art Museum at the old Indian Dormitory building in Marquette Park, which is named in their honor.
More information about Mackinac State Historic Parks can be found here; Mackinac Associates can be found here.
