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Central Michigan History Events
November 21: East Lansing
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Rosemary Feurer of Northern Illinois University's History Department will be speaking on Mother Jones and the Radical Labor Tradition. The event will be held from 12:15 pm to 1:30 pm in the MSU Museum Auditorium. November 22: Bay County
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Have you ever wondered what that family heirloom really is, or what that treasure you picked up at an estate sale is really worth? The best way to find out is to have an expert appraise it. The Bay County Historical Society is making that easy for you on Saturday, November 22nd at the Bay County Historical Society Museum. Their annual appraisal fair will be extra special this year, as Delta College Broadcasting's Q-TV will be turning the event into a television special that will air next March as part of their Spring Pledge Drive. We'll be looking for antiques and collectibles with a local story to tell for use in the show. Just bring them that day and you just might end up on TV. Three of our guest appraisers are regulars on PBS's "Antiques Roadshow". They will join other experts to place an unofficial value on everything from fine art to furniture, from sports collectibles to postcards, from quilts to jewelry. Don't miss this opportunity to get your questions answered from10 am to 4 pm. Cost per item appraised is only $5. Proceeds go to BCHS's continuing effort to preserve Bay County's rich history. November 29: Lake Odessa
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Bonnie Jackson of the Ionia County Genealogical Society will be at a book signing at the Freight Station Museum on Saturday, November 29th from 10 am till noon. The Freight Station Museum is located at 1117 Emerson Street, Lake Odessa. Mrs. Jackson was instrumental in authoring the book entitled: A Collection of Memories & Personal Stories from the World War II Veterans of Ionia County, Michigan, which is now available to the public. This book contains over 1,000 pages of the memoirs of veterans from Ionia County. The project took nearly three years to complete. Mrs. Jackson will be available to personally autograph the book for anyone who is interested.December 4: Jackson
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The Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History will light up the December night with a candlelight tour of Ella's Hillside Farmhouse. On Thursday, December 4, Ella Sharp's 19th century home will be lit with candles and lanterns as the Sharps might have. Also that evening is a candlelight holiday feast in Ella's Granary Restaurant. A five-course meal includes appetizers, Potato Leek Soup, Winter Salad, Chicken Cordon Bleu in Puff Pastry, Wild Rice, Orange and Honey Glazed Yams, and a Decadent Chocolate and Raspberry Dessert. The candlelight walk-through of Ella's Hillside Farmhouse is $3 per person (children 5 and under are free) and takes place at 5:30-8:30 pm. The Holiday Dinner requires reservations and includes the Farmhouse walk-through prior to the meal. The Holiday Dinner is $40 per person. Dinner will be served at 7 pm. Contact the Museum to make a reservation at (517) 787-2320.December 6 - 7: Waterloo
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Join the Waterloo Area Historical Society for Christmas on the Farm. This re-creation of the holiday's traditions will include tours of the ten-room farmhouse, the authentic log house, eight outbuildings, and the one-room Dewey School. New this year is a traditional Christmas program at Dewey School. Hand-crafted greens, home-made baked goods, and gift items will be available for purchase. Free refreshments and live music will be among the offerings for this homespun weekend. Please join us!! For more information please contact mitch@brooks-planck.org.December 13: Midland
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Enjoy the special night ambience of a local historical treasure when the Theatre Guild, Music Society and Peanut Gallery of the Midland Center for the Arts join the Midland County Historical Society for Christmas with the Cratchits. Please plan on attending this special holiday evening event at Heritage Park’s Bradley Home Museum, 3200 Cook Road, Midland, on Saturday, December 13 from 6 to 8 pm. Tickets are on sale now: $8.00 general admission, $6.00 member rate, $30 Family 4-pack. For more information please call the Ticket Office at (989) 631-8250 or (800) 523-7649, or click on the “Special Events” tab at www.mcfta.org. December 15: Midland
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Gather round the hearth to feel the warmth of memories shared. Once a month, a group of longtime residents join to share their recollections at the Whitman Room of the Herbert D. Doan Midland County History Center, 3417 W. Main St., Midland. Sally Sutton and Blanche Stark will moderate December’s Fireside Chat, Midland County Schools, on Monday, December 15, at 3 pm. Admission to the presentation is FREE. The public is invited to listen, learn and join in with questions or memories of their own. This wonderful series of talks also serves to preserve our past by recording sessions for the oral history collection. For more information contact Trena Winans-Bagnall at (989) 631-5930 ext. 1311.
Central Michigan History Exhibits
Till January 4, 2009: Midland
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Remember pinball machines? Before Playstation, Wii and even Pac-Man, there were pinball machines - low-tech but highly engaging machines that launched into popularity over 60 years ago. Reconnect with your inner "pinball wizard" at the newest exhibit at Heritage Park, Pinball Wizards, a colorful display of over a dozen vintage pinball machines that illustrates the history of this popular arcade fixture - complete with interactives! The exhibit will be on display through January 4, 2009 at the Herbert D. Doan Midland County History Center, 3417 West Main Street in Midland. Admission costs $5 for adults, $3 for children and is free for MCHS members. For more information, contact the Midland Center for the Arts Ticket Office at (800) 523-7649 or visit www.mcfta.org. November 2 - April 5: Lansing
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Through a new collaboration between Michigan State University, the Friends of Michigan History and the Michigan Historical Museum, the Museum will be holding a Music series on the first Sunday of each month from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm. A woodwind quintet, a brass quintet, and a saxophone quartet will each be performing in different months. Light refreshments and the opportunity to meet the performers will be available after each concert. For more information please call (517) 373-3559. July 13, 2008-February 20, 2009: Lansing
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Despite being banned from the ancient Olympics under threat of death, relegated to non-contact sports in the modern era, and even today lacking equal representation, women have embraced the philosophy of the Olympic movement from its inception and excelled at its sports. Visitors can now view the "Faster, Higher, Stronger: Michigan Women in Olympic History" exhibit at the Michigan Women's Historical Center and Hall of Fame at 213 W. Main Street, Lansing, Michigan. For more information visit their website or call (517) 484-1880. The Center is open Wednesday-Friday Noon-5:00 p.m., Saturday Noon-4:00 p.m., Sunday 2:00-4:00 p.m. The Center is closed on major holidays. Admission is $2.50 adults; 1.00 students (5-18 yrs); $2.00 seniors.November 25 – January 4, 2009: Midland
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The Midland County Historical Society presents Blue’s Christmas Village at the Herbert D. Doan Midland County History Center, 3417 W. Main St., Midland. Local collector Blue Dingman brings her spellbinding Christmas village to the Doan Center November 25, 2008 through January 4, 2009, from 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday; 1 to 5 pm Sundays. Visitors can also enjoy extended exhibit hours of 10 am to 9 pm on December 4, 11, and 18. Admission is free. As a special treat, Blue welcomes you to join her at a free Holiday Reception on Thursday, December 4th from 7 till 9 pm where you can meet the artist and view the display. For more information, call the MCHS at (989) 631-5930 ext 1310, or click on the “Heritage Park” tab at www.mcfta.org.
To submit information for Historical Happenings:
Mail information to:
or E-mail: hsm@hsmichigan.org or FAX: (517) 324-4370
