Jan. 11, 2008

Explore the Michigan Historical Museum for a fascinating look at Michigan's earliest years as a state during the museum's annual Statehood Day event -"Proud of Our Past, Positive About Our Future"- on Saturday, Jan. 26, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The first 100 guests will celebrate with a piece of birthday cake!

"We've brought together costumed interpreters, crafters, musicians and others to celebrate the best of Michigan's past accomplishments and a positive look at Michigan's future," said Phillip C. Kwiatkowski, director of the Michigan Historical Museum System.  "The galleries will be humming with music, handicraft demonstrations and Michigan stories."

As visitors walk through the museum's galleries, they can enjoy performances and presentations about various aspects of Michigan's heritage, including: 

• Stories and facts about Michigan's Native Americans and their impact on state culture and history, shared by Karen Schaumann-Beltran of the Nokomis Learning Center in Okemos.
   
• The opportunity to discover the genealogical resources available at the Library of Michigan for researching family trees and learning about the ethnic groups that settled in Michigan.
   
• Songs reflecting Michigan's heritage, performed by musician Wanda Degen.
   
• Members of the 47th Regiment of Foot, British Regulars Re-enactors, who will detail Michigan's early history under British rule.
   
• A French voyageur, portrayed by costumed interpreter John Anderson, who will teach visitors about the impact of French fur traders in Michigan.
   
• A chance to try developing a quilt pattern in a fun hands-on activity, as well as to learn about the importance of women's crafts and quilting as a means of artistic expression from the Creative Cut-Ups Quilters, Capitol City Quilt Guild.
   
• Images and anecdotes about the building of the Mackinac Bridge, shared by Hugh McNichol of the Michigan Department of Transportation.
   
• Automobile pioneer R. E. Olds, portrayed by Friends of Michigan History board member Paul M. Tarr.

The Michigan Historical Museum is located inside the Michigan Library and Historical Center at 702 W. Kalamazoo St., two blocks west of the State Capitol in downtown Lansing.  The main entrance and visitor parking are located north of Kalamazoo Street, just east of M.L. King Boulevard.  Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on official state holidays.

For more information visit www.michigan.gov/museum or telephone (517) 373-3559, TDD (517) 373-1592.

The Michigan Historical Museum System is a division of the Michigan Historical Center, an agency of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries, whose mission is to enrich quality of life and strengthen the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan heritage, and fostering cultural creativity.  The department also includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Film Office.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).