May 5, 2008

"This Takes Forever," a student-designed exhibit that looks at various ways early settlers to Michigan manufactured household goods such as woolens and tin ware, opens at the Michigan Historical Museum on May 13. Created by members of the museum's Future Historians Club, the second-floor exhibit runs until Aug. 1.

"Designing and installing this exhibit gives young people interested in history the opportunity to learn what museum professionals do," said Phil Kwiatkowski, Michigan Historical Museum director. "There is nothing better than hands-on experience."

For the past 10 years, the Michigan Historical Museum has sponsored an after-school program called the Future Historians Club During the last several years, club members have "camped overnight" at the museum, learned about the Great Lakes, taken a ride on the Michigan Princess and, this year, designed their own history exhibit. Club members have also learned to identify a Michigan whitefish, measured the height of the wave that sunk the Edmund Fitzgerald and talked by cell phone to a crewmember of the Reserve, a Great Lakes freighter.

"My favorite meeting was when we learned the importance of the Michigan Civil War Battle Flag Collection, then we got to see some of the flags in the back room of the museum," said Matthew, age 12.

"Every year we cover a different topic from Michigan history. I especially liked the tin punching activity when we made our own nutmeg grater," said Clare, age 8.

Young people between the ages of 8 and 15 who are looking for something fun to do after school and have an interest in history are welcome to join the Future Historians. Meetings are held twice monthly during the school year. The first meeting of the 2008 school year will be Tuesday, Sept. 23.

"Some of the best fun I have had as a museum professional is watching the wonder of learning that I see on the faces of these young historians," said Laurie Catherine Perkins, club leader. If you would like to become a member of the club in 2008, please contact Perkins at the Michigan Historical Museum, (517) 241-0731, or check it out on the Web at www.michigan.gov/museum.

The Michigan Historical Museum is located inside the Michigan Library and Historical Center at 702 West 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 Martin Luther King Jr. 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. Admission and weekend parking are free.

The Michigan Historical Museum, the flagship of the Michigan Historical Museum System, is fully accredited by the American Association of Museums. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/museum or call (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 (HAL). 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, HAL also includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Film Office. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

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