Local talent, presenters, and more
Are you looking for a program for your museum, historical society, library, or other organization? Many Historical Society of Michigan members have excellent presentations to offer. Below you will find a list of presenters, their programs, and their contact information. Please contact them for more detailed information or to schedule a presentation.
Questions about our list? Email us at hsm@hsmichigan.org.
Interested in being added to the list? Fill out a presenter information form here.
Michael Deren
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Affiliation: THE PAST IN PERSON - History and You - Involved!
Program Title: “Great Lakes Schooner Captain 1875”
Program Type: Storytelling
Program Description: “Great Lakes Schooner Captain 1875” takes the audience on a voyage of music and history of the Great Lakes. Using accordion and concertina he shares the songs, stories, history and resources of the Great Lakes region. Topics include geography, transportation, history (beaver, lumber, fishing, iron and copper) and conservation.
Contact Information:
Email: jmtderen@prodigy.net
Telephone: (734) 663-9634 (office) | (313) 804-0981 (cell)
Website: www.pastinperson.com
Program Fees:
Program: $450-$675
Workshop: $450-$675
Travel Expenses: $30-$50 per hour for travel beyond a 50 mile radius of Ann Arbor, MI. Lodging and meal expenses as needed depending on the venue.
John Geisler
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Affiliation: Western Michigan University
Program Titles:
- "Crazy, Weird, Bizarre, Unique and Strange Michigan Road Signs"
- "The West Michigan Pike: Old US-31, 112, & M-11; Blue Star & Red Arrow Highways"
- "The Great Sauk Trail: Across Southern Michigan" – Precursor to US-12
- "The Old Northwest Ordinance of 1787: Examining the Effects on Michigan Today"
Type of Program: PowerPoint Lecture, Storytelling
Contact Information:
Email: john.geisler@wmich.edu
Telephone: (269) 353-4071
Program Fees:
In-Person: $150+, plus travel expenses (within 250 miles of Kalamazoo)
Lois Keel
Location: Clarkston, MI
Type of Program: Storytelling
Program Description: Lois Sprengnether Keel has a wide variety of storytelling programs or can create one just for you! Programs are always in the form of reenacting, often involving audience participation and audio elements. Some titles include:
- "Prohibition–How Michigan Provided Three-Quarters of the Nation's Smuggled Alcohol"
- "WWI's 'Hello Girls': The Bilingual Phone Operators"– Explore their 60 year fight to gain veteran status
- "Underground Railroad Operation"
- "Michigan Pioneer Days"
- "Celebrating Victorian Era Christmas"
- "Skipping Through the Halls of 50s Memories"
- ...and much more!
Contact Information:
Email: Lois-sez@Lois-sez.com
Telephone: (248) 625-5848
Website: https://www.lois-sez.com
Program Fees:
In-Person: $250+, plus travel expenses (federal mileage rate if 50+ miles away).
Robert Myers
Location: Lansing, MI
Affiliation: Historical Society of Michigan
Program Title: “Of Icebergs and Inquiries: Michiganders on the Titanic”
Type of Program: PowerPoint Lecture
Program Description: When the luxury ocean liner RMS Titanic went down in 1912, many Michiganders tragically lost their lives. Within a week, U.S. Senator William Alden Smith of Grand Rapids convened the U.S. inquiry into the disaster. Join us to learn about the Michigan survivors and victims, as well as Senator Smith's far-reaching quest for answers.
Contact Information:
Email: myers@hsmichigan.org
Telephone: (517) 324-1828 (office) | (269) 277-0281 (cell)
Website: www.hsmichigan.org
Program Fees:
In-Person: $150 (within 100 miles of Lansing)
Remote, via Zoom: $125
Our Memberships
We offer membership options for businesses, organizations, and individual households—there's something for everyone! An HSM membership includes both Michigan History and Chronicle magazines, free access to weekly History Hounds® lectures, exclusive discounts, and more. Additional benefits for businesses and organizations can be found on the Business Memberships and Organizational Memberships page.
Questions?
We'd love to help! Reach out to us via email at hsm@hsmichigan.org or by phone at (517) 324-1828.