(Chelsea Update would like to thank Tom Diab and the Chelsea Area Historical Society for the information in this story.)
The Chelsea Area Historical Society has selected Dudley K. Holmes as the first Chelsea Historical Hall of Fame recipient.
Each year, a member of the community that has a historical significance either by his/her efforts throughout their lifetime or via their family ancestry will be awarded this honor.
Holmes is a son of Chelsea who has contributed as much or more than any other citizen in its history. He is the son of Dudley Holmes, Sr., who owned and operated Chelsea Milling with his brother Howard.
He was born and raised in Chelsea and graduated Chelsea High School in 1963. Dudley worked at Chelsea Milling for 35 years.
“Dudley is a quiet and honorable man. He cares tremendously for the well-being of others by serving and donating monetarily throughout his life,” the nomination states.
Among his contributions are:
- As a child, he volunteered with his mother to create the Chelsea blood bank, the first of its kind in Washtenaw County.
- Worked with Will Conelly to establish touch-tone phone service for the first time in Chelsea.
- Established and funded an annual scholarship to Hope College for more than 50 Chelsea students.
- Helped to establish the Chelsea Depot Association
- Worked with legislators to purchase the Chelsea Train Depot from Amtrak
- Raised funds to renovate the Chelsea Depot
- Helped found the present day Chamber of Commerce and was a board member for five years and was president for one year.
- Member of the Chelsea Kiwanis for 10 years.
- Was a founding member of the Common Grill.
- Current member of the Board of Directors for the Chelsea Milling Company.
- Current member of the Audit Committee for Chelsea State Bank.
- Current member of the Board of Trustees with the Chelsea Community Hospital
- Instituted recycling at the Chelsea Milling Company, one of the first in the county to do this and received awards for this.
- Major financial contributions totaling in the millions to the following:
Faith In Action, Kresge Foundation, United Way Washtenaw County, Cancer Foundation Washtenaw County, St. Jude-Washtenaw County, Ellie’s Place, U of M Dermatology, Trinity Health System Ann Arbor, St. Joseph Hospital Chelsea, Boy and Girl Scouts America, Disabled American Veterans, Congregational Church Chelsea, Red Cross Washtenaw County, Washtenaw 100, McKune Library, Purple Rose Theatre, Chelsea Community Foundation, Chelsea football field, Youth Dance Theater Chelsea, and Chelsea Public Schools sports
Dudley also helped dozens of less fortunate and deserving citizens of this community financially for the last 40 years.
“Dudley K. Holmes is a pillar of this community that has quietly supported Chelsea for his entire life without seeking attention. It is time to recognize Dudley for his contributions.”
Well deserved. Thanks Dudley!