The Michigan Week Youth Photo Contest invites young photographers around the state to capture views of their favorite historic sites. This contest is coordinated by Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Development and the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Additional financial support comes from the Michigan Barn Preservation Network.

Below are the winning photos in the Michigan Week 2008 Youth Photo Contest. Click here to see the 2009 runners-up.

Junior Division (ages 9-12)

Mackinac Bridge
Mackinaw City, Michigan
Taken by Connor Hoffman of Marshall, age 11

"It's famous because it is the longest bridge of its kind in the U.S.A. We were under the bridge on a boat (when I took the photo) - it was so cool!"

Svenska Lutherska Kyrka (Swedish Lutheran Church)
Felch, Michigan
Taken by Lexi Steele of Felch, age 11

"The church was founded on August 21, 1895 by Swedish immigrants. The church building as we know it today was built during the summer of 1907 to accommodate the increasing church membership."

Ticknor-Campbell House
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Taken by Corinne Figarra of Ypsilanti, age 12

"My friend is the caretaker for Ticknor-Campbell House, and our family sells hay to his goats. The house is picturesque and a fun place to visit."

Intermediate Division (ages 13-15)

Grange Hall on the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds
Hillsdale, Michigan
Taken by Christopher Schroen of Jerome, age 14

"The Hillsdale fair has been going on for 130 years. It is the oldest fair in Michigan."

Petite Point au Sable Lighthouse
Mears, Michigan
Taken by Dirk Okkema of Blanchard, age 15

"It was built in 1874. From 1900 to 1975 the lighthouse was whitewashed each year because Mariners had a hard time seeing the natural colors of the brick. In 2006 this site was opened up to the public. It is a great place to see a lighthouse inside and out."

Pioneer Sugar
Croswell, Michigan
Taken by Devin Chiodini of Croswell, age 15

"I chose to photograph this site because sugar is key to the area. Sugar beets replaced lumbering in the late 1800s."

Stiemel Farm Barn
Suttons Bay, Michigan
Taken by Aaron Helwig of Lake Leelanau, age 15

"The current owners have lived on the farm since 1957. The previous owner was Richard Kohler. Ben Stiemel owned it before that. All three families have been in Leelanau County for generations. The farm is still producing cherries."

Swaine House
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Taken by Camille Figarra of Ypsilanti, age 14

"This historic house shows how a wealthy businessman lived in 1875. I spoke with the owner. She said the house was due to be condemned and knocked down, but they (the current owners) bought it from the Jesse Swaine estate."

Senior Division (ages 16-19)

East Channel Grand Island Lighthouse
Munising, Michigan
Taken by Michelle Bicigo of Marquette, age 19

"I like lighthouses because they protect the commerce of shipping."

Henry Ford Museum
Dearborn, MI
Taken by Robert Hayes of Dearborn, age 17

"It's the most popular tourist destination in the Detroit area. It's a replica of Independence Hall in Philadelphia. It was dedicated by President Herbert Hoover to Thomas Edison in 1929, the 50^th anniversary of the incandescent light bulb."

Perkins-Copland Log Cabin
Okemos, MI
Taken by Jacob Fortman of Perry, age 16

"This cabin was built in the later half of the 19^th century."

Tawas Point Lighthouse
East Tawas, MI
Taken by Charity Cardinal of Tawas City, age 17

"It is a very beautiful and inspiring site. It is one of the oldest lighthouses (erected in 1876) on the Michigan Lighthouse Tour."

Updated 5/12/2009

Department of History, Arts and Libraries
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