Jan. 8, 2007

A new photographic exhibit capturing the essence of work in America - from New York to California, from the assembly line to the mine - opens at the Michigan Historical Museum on Feb. 1.  "Working America:  Photographs from the Ewing Galloway Agency, 1910-1950," presented in conjunction with Kresge Art Museum as part of a two-venue exhibition looking at work and workers, features more than 50 photographs depicting the culture of work in rural and urban settings during the first half of the 20th century.  The exhibit runs through June 17.

Drawn from Kresge's extensive collection of photographs from the Ewing Galloway photographic agency, these images were reproduced in Life magazine and other publications. The exhibit also will feature related artifacts from the Michigan Historical Museum collection.

"These photos provide a glimpse inside the American workplace of our parents' and grandparents' generation - telling the story of workers on the assembly line in diverse industries, dockside, in mines, offices, labs, shops and many other places," said Phillip C. Kwiatkowski, director of the Michigan Historical Museum System.  "We're also asking Michigan's young people to share their ideas about what work means to them through a special youth photo exhibit."

Michigan youth ages 10-18 are invited to submit a photograph and essay illustrating their definition of work for an exhibit called "What is Work?"  Selected entries will be displayed in the rotunda of the Michigan Library and Historical Center April 23 through May 4.  Entries must be postmarked or delivered by March 15.  For rules and an application form, visit www.michigan.gov/museum.

Kresge Art Museum presents "The Workers' Landscape: American Images, 1900-1950" from Jan. 8 through March 18.  This joint exhibition is part of a yearlong project of the Greater Lansing Museum Collaborative to explore work and workers' culture.  The project also includes exhibits at the Michigan State University Museum and Impression 5 Science Center. 

"Working America" is made possible in part by a grant to Kresge Art Museum from the Arts Council of Greater Lansing/Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

The Michigan Historical Museum is located inside the Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 West 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 Martin Luther King Jr. 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. Admission and weekend parking are free.

The Michigan Historical Museum, the flagship of the Michigan Historical Museum System, is fully accredited by the American Association of Museums. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/museum or call (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 (HAL). Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, HAL 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.  For more information about HAL, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Kresge Art Museum is located on the Michigan State University campus in the Kresge Art Center at Auditorium and Physics Roads, near Alumni Chapel.  For more information, call (517) 355-7631 or visit www.artmuseum.msu.edu.

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