May 27, 2009

Mid-Michigan residents are invited to celebrate the Michigan Historical Museum's 20th anniversary on Saturday, May 30, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - part of the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau's Be a Tourist in Your Own Town program - and enjoy family-friendly activities as they discover Michigan's fascinating heritage.

"We are thrilled that this year's Be a Tourist events coincide with the museum celebrating 20 years at its current home within the Michigan Library and Historical Center," said Phillip C. Kwiatkowski, director of the Michigan Historical Museum System. "The main purpose of Be A Tourist is to increase community awareness of our region's quality attractions and of the tourism industry's impact on the area. We're very proud of our museum and hope to introduce its many mysteries and treasures to a new generation of Michigan-history enthusiasts."

The first 200 visitors to the Michigan Historical Museum will enjoy a piece of birthday cake, and all visitors will experience the sights and sounds of Michigan history as they explore the museum's 26 permanent exhibit galleries. Docents portraying historical characters and Civil War re-enactors will bring Michigan history to life, while make-and-take heritage crafts will provide a fun and educational experience for children. Members of the Lansing Poetry Club will read poetry on the third floor of the museum from 2 to 3 p.m. This anniversary celebration is sponsored by the Friends of Michigan History.

To participate in Be a Tourist in Your Own Town, purchase a "tourist passport," available at many convenient locations, for just $1. The passport provides admission to more than 35 area attractions, free refreshments, eligibility for special prize packages and much more. As the city of Lansing celebrates its 150th anniversary, it's a great opportunity to enjoy new attractions and revisit the familiar ones that best highlight the area's unique history. For more information, visit www.lansing.org/batyot.

The Michigan Historical Museum is located inside the Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., two blocks west of the State Capitol in downtown Lansing. The main entrance and visitor parking are located north of Kalamazoo Street, just east of M.L. King Boulevard. Museum hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on official state holidays. Admission and weekend parking are free. For more information, visit www.michiganhistory.org or telephone (517) 373-3559, TDD (517) 373-1592.

The Michigan Historical Museum System is a division of the Michigan Historical Center, an agency of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries, whose mission is to enrich quality of life and strengthen the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity. The department also includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

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