Sept. 10, 2007

In the two years since the Friends of Fayette Historic Townsite became an affiliate chapter of the Friends of Michigan History in partnership with the Michigan Historical Museum System, much good, creative work has been done to further the Friends' mission of raising public awareness and furthering the understanding, restoration and interpretation of Fayette.

Last year, Friends of Fayette secretary and author Donna Winters offered a $2,500 incentive, challenging the Friends of Fayette to raise a matching amount by Dec. 31, 2006. Through donations and membership fees, the Friends successfully met the match and acquired a $2,500 contribution through Great Lakes Romances (www.greatlakesromances.com).

According to Winters, who is currently at work on her third novel of a trilogy set during Fayette's 1867-1891 era, "My passion for Fayette fuels my writing."

Revenue generated by the Friends group is earmarked to fund projects for which financial support has been requested by the museum site administrator, in consultation with the appropriate Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials and in keeping with the bylaws of the Friends of Michigan History. Fayette site historian Brenda Laakso said such support by the Friends couldn't come at a better time.

"As the State of Michigan faces tough budgetary times and funding for our programs is getting harder to come by, we are grateful to the Friends for their financial support," said Laakso. "The Friends contributed over $1,200 this year for five new outdoor signs, a project that wouldn't have happened without their efforts and generous contribution."

Laakso said Friends' funding has gone a long way toward ensuring visitors to Fayette enjoy the "Pure Michigan" thrill of experiencing a 19th century industrial community, covering the costs, for example, of promotional posters, musical performances and horse-and-wagon rides at August's Fayette Heritage Day.

No contribution is too small, Laakso noted. Friend Fred Winters has generated revenue through his woodworking skills, creating and selling wooden candleholders and pens and also baking and selling cookies at special events.

"There's really no job too great, too small, or too off the beaten path for our Friends group," Laakso said. "In addition to fundraising, the Friends of Fayette promote memberships at special events and assist with staffing. At the park's first Fall Fest last October - an event that attracted over 200 participants - Friends vice president Sarah Bagley lent her artistic skills, teaching children how to make paper masks and paint pumpkins."

Bagley will again be fueling children's imaginations with similar activities this year at Fall Fest 2007, scheduled for Oct. 6.

To find out more about the Friends of Fayette Historic Townsite and how to help preserve the site for future generations, visit www.michigan.gov/fayettetownsite, click on "About Fayette Historic Townsite" and download a membership application. The Friends of Fayette welcome your involvement - make new friends, join today!

Today, Fayette is one of the nation's premier examples of a 19th century industrial community and company town. In operation from 1867 to 1891, its furnaces produced over 229,000 tons of pig iron to become the second largest producer of charcoal iron in Michigan. The State of Michigan has preserved 20 buildings including the furnace complex, hotel, town hall, company office and several residences. Eleven buildings contain exhibits and are open to the public, including a modern visitor center with a scale model of the townsite as it looked in the 1880s.

Fayette Historic Townsite is administered by the Department of History, Arts and Libraries in cooperation with the Department of Natural Resources. The museum village is open daily, 9 a.m. to dusk, through Labor Day and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Labor Day through mid October. Admission is by Michigan state park permit. For more details, call (906) 644 2603 or visit the museum online at www.michigan.gov/fayettetownsite.

The Department of History, Arts and Libraries is dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity. In addition to the Michigan Historical Center, it includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Film Office. To learn more, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).