1. Take a child to a historical site. Or, take an online tour of more than 3,000 designated Michigan historical sites on the State Historic Preservation Office's Michigan's Historic Sites Online database.

2. Learn more about the many cultural events and attractions around the state, then pick a museum, festival, play, concert or exhibit to take your child to.

3. Ask a librarian to assist you in tracking your ancestry back at least one more generation than you are positive of now. (See more information about genealogy research.)

4. Prepare a family cookbook. Include historical information and tidbits.

5. Put together a year 2009 time capsule. Encourage family members and neighbors to participate.

6. Volunteer! Volunteer to be a museum guide, rehabilitate a historic site or clean up a park or playground.

7. Watch a movie starring a famous Michiganian like Lily Tomlin, Tom Selleck or Tom Skerritt, or see one of the many movies filmed in Michigan.

8. Listen to music by a famous Michiganian like Anita Baker, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Bob Seger or Diana Ross. Check out a whole list of famous Michiganians on the Department of History, Arts and Libraries Michigan Facts and History page.

9. Get a subscription to Michigan History magazine for your family.

10. Take a canoe trip down a local river.

11. Share a craft or skill with a local youth group. Serve as a mentor for a youth who shows particular interest.

12. Take a trip to a historical inn or restaurant in another part of the state.

13. Learn about family heirlooms. Write down their history and protect them.

14. Read a book by a Michigan author, about Michigan or set in Michigan. Check out the Michigan Notable Books list for some great examples, and look for more information on the Michigan Authors and Illustrators database. Browse for books about Michigan at your local library or bookstore.

15. Make t-shirts or sweatshirts for your family, church, school or club promoting Michigan Week and wear them proudly!

16. Replace your old Michigan map. (Click here to request a free 2009 state map.) See how many cities in Michigan you've been to - how many have you missed?

17. Tour an auto manufacturing, food or milk processing plant. Some offer free samples!

18. Learn along with a child how to make a cornhusk doll or how to make butter like they did in the old days.

19. Take a trip through different eras in Michigan history on the Michigan Historical Museum's Kids' Stuff; page.

20. Look at grocery store labels and see how many products are made in Michigan. Michigan is number one in the nation in a number of products - can you name them? Check out this clickable and informative map of Michigan commodities.

21. Make a Michigan meal - prepare recipes made with Michigan products.

22. Take a Michigan lighthouse tour.

23. Do you know what Michigan's state flower, bird and stone are? Try to find an example of each. Learn more about Michigan's state symbols.

24. Trace your home's history.

25. Celebrate Michigan Week your own way, May 16-22, 2009!

Updated 2/19/2009

Department of History, Arts and Libraries
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