May 16, 2003

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced that she is transferring the original 1963 state constitution from the Office of the Great Seal to the State Archives for preservation and display. Land encouraged the public to view the document in the State Archives during the annual Michigan Week celebration.

"Our state constitutions are the blueprints of our government," Land said. "I want to ensure their preservation, thereby paying tribute to their architects. Michigan's most valuable historical documents deserve the care that only state-of-the-art preservation systems can provide. Moving the original 1963 constitution to the State Archives will ensure that it will be here to guide us for years to come."

Michigan's first constitution was adopted in 1835. It was revised in 1850, 1908 and 1963. With the exception of the 1963 document, all of the constitutions originally have been maintained in the Office of the Great Seal and subsequently transferred to the State Archives.

"These truly are documents of the people, by the people and for the people," Land said. "They should be shared by all, and displaying the 1963 constitution during the height of Michigan Week is an appropriate gift to our state."

The State Constitution will be on public display at the State  Archives on Thursday, May 22, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., as part of the observance of Michigan Week. The State Archives is located at 702 W. Kalamazoo. Normal reading room hours are 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except state holidays.

Among her official duties, Land serves as Keeper of the Great Seal and administers the Office of the Great Seal. The office stores many important state government documents, administers Michigan's notary public program and authenticates documents for use in foreign countries.

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