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Central Michigan History Events

(Click to View Central Michigan History Exhibits)

• March 4: Midland

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  Harrowing true stories of Great Lakes shipwrecks are the subject of "The Wheelsmen," a lecture presented by Alden B. Dow Museum on Thursday, March 4 at 7 pm at the Midland Center. Author/historian Ric Mixter will provide an account of research from his new book, "The Wheelsmen," which includes eyewitness interviews and underwater exploration of eight featured shipwrecks. Copies of the book will be available for purchase, and the author will conduct a book signing as part of his appearance. Tickets are $8 general admission; $5 for members. Lecture attendees will be admitted to all Museum exhibits for $3. Call the Ticket Office at (989) 631-8250 or (800) 523-7649 or visit mcfta.org.

• March 11: Midland

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  Midland County Historical Society's popular "Fireside Chat" program resumes in March! Gather round the hearth to feel the warmth of memories shared. Once a month, a group of longtime residents joins to share their recollections at the Whitman Room of the Herbert D. Doan Midland County History Center. Floyd Andrick will moderate the topic "The Early Days of Midland Hospital." Several early administrators and staff members will join in the discussion. The Fireside Chat is from 2:00 to 3:00 pm Thursday, March 11. Admission to the presentation is free. The public is invited to listen, learn and join in with questions or memories of their own. This wonderful series of talks also serves to preserve our past by recording sessions for the oral history collection. For further information, contact Floyd Andrick at (989) 837-0870.

• March 15: Ithaca
  The Gratiot County Historical and Genealogical Society will hold its first meeting of 2010 on March 15, beginning at 7:30 pm in the Genealogy Library. Special guest Alyse Redman will be playing the bagpipes and discussing the history and cultural significance of the instrument. Don't miss this special entertainment! For more information, visit gchgs.org or call (989) 875-6232.

• March 21: Lansing

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  Please join us for tea on Sunday, March 21 to discuss "Writing Women Back Into History - A Celebration of the 90th Anniversary of Women's Right to Vote," sponsored by the Friends of the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame and the National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs - Greater Lansing Area Chapter. Attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a Raffle drawing, with a chance to win your choice of three amazing vacations OR a $2,000 cash prize! If you have questions or would like to purchase tickets via phone or e-mail please contact Emily at (517) 484-1880 ext 203 or e-mail ecrampton@michiganwomen.org; tickets may also be purchased via PayPal on their website.

• Mar. 23: Midland

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  A two-part program of "Bucky Works: Buckminster Fuller's Ideas for Today" by J. Baldwin will take place on Feb. and Mar. 23 at the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio in Midland. Creator of the Geodesic Dome, Dymaxion House and Dymaxion Car, Fuller dared to dream and design sustainable ways of living and growing in harmony with the earth and each other. The registration deadline for this event is Feb. 19. For more information or to register, call (866) 315-7678 or visit their website.

• April 19: Ithaca
  The Gratiot County Historical and Genealogical Society will host a presentation on Maple Syrup with speaker Maynard Peacock. The program will begin at 7:30 pm in the Genealogy Library. This evening is sure to be a sweet treat for Society members and friends! All are welcome to attend. More information is available at gchgs.org.

• May 1: Grand Ledge

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  Join us for the 14th Annual Victorian Day featuring a non-motorized parade, carriage rides, Victorian Tea at the Opera House, Civil War reenactment and skirmish, pie judging and auction, quilt show, Museum exhibit "Welcome Home," Victorian Etiquette program, demonstrations of blacksmithing, rope making, letter press, spinning and plant exchange. For the kids, there will be a Teddy Bear Tea and May Pole Dance, picture with a pony or in Victorian clothing, as well as kite flying and May baskets. For further information call (517) 627-5170 or visit their website.

Central Michigan History Exhibits

• Now Open: Lansing

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  The Michigan Women's Historical Center announces their exhibit entitled "Votes for Women," which is currently on display. "Votes for Women" chronicles the history of the women's suffrage movement. You'll be introduced to national leaders such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton as well as Michigan women who figured prominently in the movement, including May Stocking Knaggs (Bay City), Anna Howard Shaw (Big Rapids), and Sojourner Truth (Battle Creek). Among the many interesting artifacts is a copy of the Women's Century Calendar dated 1900 which is signed by Anthony. For more information contact the Historical Center at (517) 484-1880.

• Current through Spring 2010: Lansing

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  Out to Lunch, a new exhibit created from the collections of the Michigan Historical Museum, takes a look at lunch boxes and other containers used to carry food while traveling. Admission is free of charge. For more information, please call (517) 373-3559 or visit the Museum website.

• Current through Sep. 5, 2010: East Lansing

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  MSU Museum presents "Unpacking Collections: The Legacy of Cuesta Benberry, an African American Quilt Scholar" explores the production and meaning of collections and, for the first time, shows this new collection acquired by the MSU Museum in 2009. The Cuesta Benberry African and African American Quilt and Quilt History Collection contains 52 quilts (including family quilts and the only one Benberry actually made), notebooks, quilt kits and patterns, and scores of notes and clippings related to quiltmakers, quilts, and quilt exhibitions. For more information, call (517) 355-2370 or visit the museum website.

• Mar. 7 - Dec. 12: Grand Ledge

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  The Grand Ledge Area Historical Society presents a new exhibit entitled "Welcome Home" in the 1880 Gothic Revival house turned into museum. The living areas feature a Grand Ledge Chair Company sofa, upholstered side chair and dining room suite in addition to a large collection of the society's clay folk art. Open Sundays 2 - 4 pm and festival weekends, by donation. For further information, please call (517) 627-5170 or visit their website.

To submit information for Historical Happenings:

Mail information to:

The Historical Society of Michigan
1305 Abbot Rd.
East Lansing, MI 48823

or E-mail: hsm@hsmichigan.org or FAX: (517) 324-4370