R.E. Wilson Collection

Mr. Wilson was born in Canada in 1874 and moved to Alpena at the age of six months. In 1908, he began as a driver for the Alpena Fire Department; he was appointed Fire Chief in 1914. He was an avid collector of historical documents and Alpena artifacts which he first housed in the fire station. After his retirement, the material was housed in his home. He died in 1951, and the collection was later donated to the Jesse Besser Museum (Besser Museum of Northeast Michigan).

This collection contains ledgers from the City of Alpena dating from 1857 as well as photographs of the Alpena and Fire Department.

(Currently being processed; donated by clarissa Howe, 2006,2007).

R.E. Wilson Collection Inventory