Elizabeth Sparks Adams | |
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| Born | (1911-12-12)December 12, 1911 Romeo, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | October 11, 2007(2007-10-11) (aged 95) Waterford, Michigan, U.S. |
| Education | University of Michigan (MA) |
| Occupations | Historian and non-fiction writer |
| Known for | First woman president of the Michigan Historical Commission |
| Honors | Michigan Women's Hall of Fame, 2016 |
Elizabeth Sparks Adams (December 12, 1911 – October 11, 2007)[1] was an American historian. She served for 54 years on theMichigan Historical Commission, making her the longest-serving public official in Michigan history, and the first woman president of the commission. She was inducted into theMichigan Women's Hall of Fame in 2016.[2]
Adams was born on December 12, 1911, inRomeo, Michigan. She later graduated fromPontiac High School at 19, and four years later graduated fromEastern Michigan University. She graduated with anM.A. from theUniversity 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 aJustice of the Peace inWaterford seven years after marrying Donald Adams, and in 1954 was elected to the Waterford Township Board of Education for two terms, later serving as president of the board for two years. She served on the Michigan Historical Commission for 54 years after her appointment byMurray 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 theHistorical Society of Michigan and the Oakland County Pioneer and Historical Society.[3]