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Eastern Michigan Events
February 4: Tecumseh
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The Tecumseh Area Historical Society presents "Valentines and Flowers" by Jan Fox as part of its continuing lecture series. According to Wikipedia, "the language of flowers, sometimes called floriography, was a Victorian-era means of communication in which various flowers and floral arrangements were used to send coded messages." For example, yellow roses stand for friendship, while red roses signify romance. Whether you want to revive this historical communication method or just want to have fun with your next bouquet, you're sure to enjoy yourself at this interesting and informative presentation! Lectures are free for members, $3 for non-members. February 4: Richmond
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The Richmond Area Historical and Genealogical Society will hold its general membership meeting from 7 to 9 pm at the State Police Post on February 4th. The topic will be "Early Richmond Part 1: Homes," presented by Ursula Adamson, a Society Researcher. Other topics in the series will include Early Richmond Families, Early Richmond Area Farms, and Early Businesses. February 6: Plymouth
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Join the Plymouth Historical Museum for their Annual Dinner and Auction, where their featured speaker will be Dr. Weldon Petz, discussing "The Musical Note in Lincoln's Life." Dr. Petz is an authority on Lincoln's influence on and participation in music. The evening includes a silent auction and raffle, with items available for viewing when the doors open at 5:30 p.m. Auction and raffle items include wine, antiques, jewelry, gift certificates from local merchants and restaurants, gift baskets and much more. During dinner, diners will be serenaded with period music performed by Simply Dickens Singing Group. Period dress (Civil War era) is encouraged, but not required. Tickets are $50 per person if purchased by January 24 and $65 per person after that date, so get your tickets now. Tickets are being sold at the Museum and on their website. For more information, call (734) 455-8940 during Museum hours: Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays 1-4 pm. February 6: Detroit
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Begin your Black History Month celebration at "African American History Day" at the Detroit Historical Museum. This event is an excellent free opportunity for families of all ethnic backgrounds to celebrate African American history and culture. There will be a large variety of entertainment, from caricature artists to historians and story tellers. Food and beverages will also be available for sale. For more information, visit their website. February 7: Pontiac
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The Oakland County Pioneer and Historical Society will host "Until Antietam: The life and letters of Major General Israel B. Richardson, US Army" by Jack C Mason. Jack has written a historical account of Major General Israel B. Richardson, who served in the Seminole War, was a celebrated war hero during the Mexican War, recruited, trained and led the 2nd Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment of the Civil War, and was killed leading a definitive northern charge in the battle of Antietam. General Richardson lived and farmed in Pontiac and was a friend of Moses Wisner. There is a $10 fee to attend the lecture. For more information, visit their website. February 10: Detroit
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The Detroit Historical Museum presents Elizabeth Clemens, author of The Works Progress Administration in Detroit, who will discuss the agency that was created to put the unemployed to work, and how they built schools and libraries, provided clothing and shelter, and enriched the lives of Detroiters through literacy, health, and educational programs. It also brought art, theater and music to the masses through groundbreaking cultural programs, helping to create the infrastructure that enabled Detroit to develop into the "Arsenal of Democracy" and eventually, into one of America's greatest cities. The program takes place in the Museum's auditorium. Free to Detroit Historical Society members; $10 nonmembers. For more information or to order tickets, call (313) 833-1801. February 13: Plymouth
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Join the Salem Area Historical Society for their Annual Dinner and Auction at the Fox Hills Golf and Banquet Center in Plymouth, MI. The cost per person is $30, which includes a multi-course buffet dinner and live auction. Auction items will include tickets to area attractions, sports memorabilia, historical items and restaurant gift certificates. All Proceeds will be used to maintain the Jarvis-Stone School (1857) and the Dickerson Barn (1830). For tickets go to their website or e-mail Salem_area_HS@yahoo.com.
February 17: West Bloomfield
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The Greater West Bloomfield Historical Society will hold a noon luncheon meeting, at which President Buzz Brown will explain the use of photographs to enhance our knowledge of history using the recently discovered photograph collection of the 1976 West Bloomfield Tornado and the GWBHS collection of local images. Brown will incorporate digital imaging techniques to uncover historic information and link the information to local first-person memoirs and journals. GWBHS members are invited to the meeting for $10 each. Reservations can be made with Carol Froling, (248) 683-9439.
- February 18: Belleville
The February Meeting of the Belleville Area Historical Society will focus on the "Freedom Road to Canada" in honor of African American History Month. Mrs. Conliffe will speak on the fugitive slave trek to Canada via the Underground Railroad and the formation of the Elgin Settlement, a historic slave village in Buxton, Ontario. This program is free and open to the public.
- February 18: Adrian
Join the Lenawee County Historical Society at 7 pm on February 18th. The meeting will feature Don Faber of Ann Arbor as he discusses his book "The Toledo War: The First Michigan-Ohio Rivalry." Early maps of the Midwestern United States were famously imprecise, adding to the uncertainty of the true boundary between the states. Ohio claimed the mouth of the Maumee River, land that according to the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 fell in the Territory of Michigan. After the presentation, books will be available for purchase and signing.
February 23: Grand Blanc
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The Grand Blanc Heritage Association and Museum presents its February General Meeting on Feb. 23 at 7 pm. Mike Heberling will be presenting the program "The Good Old Days-NOT!" Light refreshments will follow the program, which is free and open to the public.
March 21: Green Oak
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Join the Green Oak Township Historical Society for their March Membership meeting. Following a potluck supper at 2 pm (bring your favorite dish to pass!), there will be a program on Historic Districts in Green Oak, as well as a Home Tour of the Dean Marentay Historic District. For more information, visit their website.
March 22: Grand Blanc
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The Grand Blanc Heritage Association and Museum presents its March General Meeting on Mar. 22 at 7 pm. Mary Moore, former player for the Springfield Sallies, will present the program "The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League." Light refreshments will follow the program, which is free and open to the public. April 7: Lincoln Park
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The Lincoln Park Historical Society will hold its General Meeting on Wednesday, April 7 at 7 pm. The featured speaker will be Father Gerard Bechard, a Titanic historian from Westland. Fr. Bechard will talk about his life-long interest in the Titanic, and will share little-known facts as well as items from his personal collection. Light refreshments will be served. April 18: Rochester
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Rochester-Avon Historical Society invites you to attend a "Rochester Area Oral History Preservation Extravaganza!" A Committee formed of RAHS members has been diligently working for some time to interview, transcribe, and preserve the voices of the community. Join them in learning more about this project. This event will take place at the Rochester Hills Public Library.
March 27: Dundee
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The Genealogical Society of Monroe County, Michigan presents their 33rd Annual Spring Seminar at Monroe County Community College. Sessions include "Untrodden Ground: Sources You May Not Have Encountered," "Major Midwestern Archives and their Records," "New York State: The Changing Face of the Modern Era," and "Newspaper Research: The Dailies, Weeklies, and Beyond." For more information or to register, email larry@dundee.net or call (734) 529-2216. May 13-15: Ann Arbor
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The Michigan Historic Preservation Network's 30th Annual Statewide Preservation Conference - "Celebrating Sustainable Communities" - will take place at UM's historic Michigan League. Over 400 individuals, peopel in private business, architects and planners, preservation professionals, elected and appointed community officials, government staff, and those doing hand-on work iwth historica buildings are expected. For more information visit their website.
Eastern Michigan History Exhibits
Feb. 2 - Jun. 5: Birmingham
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The Sole of Birmingham: History of Sherman Shoes exhibit will open at the Birmingham Historical Museum & Park on February 2, 2010 and runs through June 5, 2010. (Museum Hours: Wednesdays-Saturdays, 1-4 pm) The exhibition explores and chronicles the founding of a family owned shoe business first in Detroit, and later its expansion in 1957 into Birmingham and the entire Metro-Detroit area. The exhibit features historic photographs, memorabilia, and vintage shoes from D. Larry Sherman's personal collection. A size 23 Converse All-Star shoe worn by Detroit Pistons great Bob Lanier will be part of the display. For more information, visit their website.
- Jan. 28 - Aug. 15: Dearborn
The Arab American National Museum presents its new exhibit . "Coffee culture" as we know it today has come a long way from its origins in the Arab World. Many myths surround the discovery of this fascinating beverage, but it is coffee's Arab cultural roots that have generated the continuing social traditions, the coffeehouse and even some of the greatest intellectual achievements in human history. This exhibit explores the effects of coffee on the history of the Arab World and consequently, the rest of the world. Come sit down, share a cup (free coffee, tea or hot chocolate for all visitors) and learn about this amazing brew. In the Lower Level Gallery through August 15, 2010; free with Museum admission. For more information, visit their website: arabamericanmuseum.org.
- Current - May 2010: Detroit
Joe Louis: Hometown Hero, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Born the son of an Alabama cotton picker, Joe Louis, Known to many as the African-American heavyweight champion named the "Brown Bomber," fought against poverty throughout his life. Like Jesse Owens in the Berlin Olympic Games, on June 22, 1938, Joe Louis embodied American democracy versus Nazi intolerance and menace. His victory that day added fuel to the growing civil and human rights movements in the USA. Muhammad Ali said of Joe Louis, "I just give lip service to being the greatest. He was the greatest." The sportswriter, Jimmy Cannon, summed the Brown Bomber up best when he wrote, "He was a credit to his race - the human race." Joe Louis' life is proof that we all can coexist! For more information, visit their website.
Now Open: Detroit
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VeloCity: Detroit's Need for Speed, Detroit Historical Museum. Metro Detroiters have always had a love affair with speed and movement. Starting with French ponies and thoroughbreds and continuing through to motor sports and power boating, Detroiters have enjoyed pushing the envelope with respect to how fast they could go! This exhibit showcases the ways in which Detroiters have felt the need for speed on land, water and in the air, utilizing all possible forms of transportation, including bicycles, canoes, sailboats and powerboats, stock cars, motorcycles, formula one, marathons and airplanes. This exhibit is a dynamic visual slice of metro Detroit's spirit of adventure!
To submit information for Historical Happenings:
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or E-mail: hsm@hsmichigan.org or FAX: (517) 324-4370
