Elizabeth Sparks Adams


Elizabeth Sparks Adams was an American historian. She served for fifty four years on the Michigan Historical Commission, making her the longest-serving public official in Michigan history, and the first woman president of the Commission.

Biography

Adams was born on December 12, 1911 in Romeo, Michigan. She later graduated from Pontiac High School at 19, and four years later graduated from Eastern Michigan University. She graduated with an M.A. from University of Michigan the following year. She was the first curator of the Michigan Historical Collections from 1938 to 1939. In 1936, she married Donald E. Adams. Adams was elected a Justice of the Peace in Waterford seven years after marrying Donald Adams, and was in 1954 and was elected to the Waterford Township Board of Education for two terms beginning, serving as President of the board for two years. She served on the Michigan Historical Commission for fifty-four years since her appointment by Murray Van Wagoner on March 20, 1941. During her service there, she was President for fourteen years and Vice President for two years, serving until stepping down in 1995. Adams was president of Historical Society of Michigan and the Oakland County Pioneer and Historical Society.

Publications

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