October 2009
www.michigan.gov/museum

FROM THE DIRECTOR

The Michigan Historical Museum's transition from the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources is now in progress. It has just been announced that we will enter the Communications Division of the DNR. Meetings have and will be held with various staff members over the next few weeks to ensure a transition that will be seamless to the public.

While this transition is taking place, our education staff has been gearing up for the new group of students participating in our education programs. Fortunately, we have reopened the pre-20th-century galleries just in time for the beginning of a new school year.

Also, this year we are beginning some new programs that you will see detailed later in this issue of the e-News. It's going to be a very exciting year full of exciting programs and events for the entire family to enjoy.

We look forward to seeing you here at the Michigan Historical Museum and providing you the best in history for the state of Michigan.

—Phil Kwiatkowski

EXHIBITS

The museum's pre-20th-century galleries on the second floor and second-floor mezzanine that were closed for building renovation reopened on September 22. This means that all of our permanent exhibits—10,000 years of history—are open. You can get a preview of the galleries by taking an online tour.

COLLECTIONS

Building renovations also displaced our collections staff and onsite collections storage, causing staff and "stuff" to relocate at a remote storage facility. After 17 months away, staff members have moved back to the museum. In between taking down the Michigan's Roadside Attractions special exhibit and re-installing the pre-20th-century permanent exhibits, they are somehow finding time to put the china and glassware back onto shelving, so the storage facility downtown is beginning to look like it did before construction began.

WHAT'S NEW

Home School Programs. The Michigan Historical Museum is now offering our award-winning educational group programs to home school families. These monthly, hands-on programs are usually 90-minutes long, and offer learning for K-8 students. Learn more about our home school programs.

MUSIC AT THE MUSEUM SERIES BEGINS OCT. 4

Music adds a wonderful dimension to your museum visit. Now in its second season, the series features a variety of student chamber music groups in an hour-long performance. Following each concert, musicians and audience visit over light refreshments. Brought to you through a joint Partnership between the Michigan State University College of Music, the Friends of Michigan History and the Michigan Historical Museum. See the calendar below for details.

FANTASTIC FRIDAYS

Fantastic Fridays are decidedly high-energy days at the Michigan Historical Museum when we welcome dozens of elementary school groups taking self-guided tours. If you prefer your visits to the museum to be leisurely and low key, then please make note that we have Fantastic Fridays scheduled for October 16 and November 6.

THE BIG HISTORY LESSON

We welcome the first of the school year's BIG History Lesson classrooms on October 26. The BIG History Lesson transforms the Michigan Historical Museum into a classroom for teachers and students as they journey on a weeklong exploration of Michigan's past. Learn more about the award-winning BIG History Lesson.

WE'RE ON FACEBOOK

Check out the Michigan Historical Museum page on Facebook and become a fan!

FRIENDS OF MICHIGAN HISTORY

Our Friends group has a deep commitment to preserving Michigan's past. Learn more about Friends of Michigan History achievements and member benefits.

EVENTS

October 3

Michigan Harvest Celebration
Enjoy traditional music, stories, crafts and harvest activities.

October 4

Music at the Museum
Today's live performance features the saxophone.

October 6

Future Historians Meeting
Kids 9-15.

October 10

Michigan Archaeology Day
Talk with archaeologists, attend a lecture or see a flintknapping demonstration.

October 13

Michigan History Lecture Series
Fee (docents enter free); preregistration required.

October 15

"My Community, Then & Now" and "Always in the Dark"
Home School Programs. Fee; preregistration required.

October 17-18

Plants and Trees are Everywhere
Boy Scout Camp-In - earn the Forester badge! Fee; preregistration required.

October 20

Future Historians Meeting
Kids 9-15.

October 23-24

Problem Solve Like the Women of the Past
Junior Girl Scout Camp-In - earn the Creative Solutions badge! Fee; preregistration required.

October 25

Haunted History: A Spooky Walk Through Time
Enjoy family-friendly tricks and treats and lots of old-fashioned Halloween fun! Tickets available in advance and at the door.

October 27

Michigan History Lecture Series
Fee (docents enter free); preregistration required.

AT OUR SITES

The Michigan Historical Museum is the flagship of an 11-site museum system. Learn more about the Michigan Historical Museum System.

The Michigan Historical Museum is located inside the Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 West Kalamazoo Street, Lansing. The museum and visitor parking are on the north side of Kalamazoo Street, two blocks east of M. L. King Jr. Boulevard. Admission and weekend parking are free. Here's more information about how to find us.