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Grant
Awarded: April
2006
Type of Grant: Humanities Project Grant
Sponsor:
Berrien County Historical Association
Contact:
Elaine Thomopoulos, 268-471-1202, bcha@berrienhistory.org
Website:
www.berrienhistory.org/
Award:
$15,000
$15,000
GRANT AWARDED FOR “Greeks of Berrien County”
On
July 19, the Michigan Humanities Council awarded a $15,000
grant to the Berrien County Historical Association for the
project "Greeks of Berrien County." The presentation,
at the Annunciation and St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church
in New Buffalo, included (left to right): Frances Porter (executive
director, Berrien County Historical Association), Elaine Thomopoulos
(project director, "Greeks of Berrien County"),
Janice Fedewa (executive director, Michigan Humanities Council),
Al Pscholka (district representative, U.S. Representative
Fred Upton), Mary Judnich (assistant to U.S. Senator Debbie
Stabenow). |
(BERRIEN
SPRINGS)-----Today, the Michigan Humanities Council (MHC) awarded
a $15,000 grant to the Berrien County Historical Association to
produce the exhibit, “Greeks of Berrien County.” The
grant was awarded as a part of MHC’s grant program,“Strengthening
Michigan’s Communities Through the Humanities,” which
supports community collaboration for public humanities programs.
The grant award was presented at the Annunciation and St. Paraskevi
Greek Orthodox Church in New Buffalo, as part of an event which
included the screening of the film, Greeks and Americans, and a
discussion program. The Annunciation and St. Paraskevi Church is
a co-sponsor of the project.
“This
program provides an important resource to learn about the immigration
of Greeks to Michigan and the personal stories from the Greek community,
” stated Jan Fedewa, executive director of the Michigan Humanities
Council. “The Michigan Humanities Council is pleased to fund
this exhibit and its engaging public programs.”
The
“Greeks of Berrien County” exhibit will explore the
history and contributions of Greek immigrants who settled and vacationed
in Berrien County. The exhibit will include photographs and artifacts
and be displayed at three places:
-
the Orchards Mall in Benton Township from November 20, 2006 –
January 6, 2007;
- the
1839 Courthouse Museum in Berrien Springs from January 16 –
February 9, 2007; and,
-
a permanent display at the Annunciation and St. Paraskevi Greek
Orthodox Church in New Buffalo, beginning February 15, 2007.
Additional
components of the project include a 20-page publication, humanities
scholars presenting public discussions about Greek immigration,
radio presentations, oral histories, and Internet postings of photos.
A complete event schedule will be made available in the near future
and published on the Michigan Humanities Council website, www.michiganhumanities.org.
"By
exploring the history of the Greeks of Berrien County, we will gain
a better understanding of the struggles that immigrants have experienced,
no matter where they have come from,” stated Elaine Thomopoulos
of the Berrien County Historical Association. “Their history
is our history. We are very grateful for the support of the Michigan
Humanities Council and our community partners, the Annunciation
and St. Paraskevi Greek Orthodox Church and Orchards Mall, as well
as the libraries, businesses, organizations, scholars, and hard-working
volunteers who are contributing to this important project.”
“Grants
from the Michigan Humanities Council help Michigan communities study
and preserve the state’s unique culture and heritage,”
stated U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow. “I am pleased to be able
to support funding for the Council and for these important local
community projects.”
The
Michigan Humanities Council, founded in 1974, is the state’s
independent, non-profit affiliate of the National Endowment for
the Humanities. For additional information on the Michigan Humanities
Council, please visit: www.michiganhumanities.org or call 517-372-7770.
#####
IMAGES
FROM JULY 19, 2006, EVENT (click to enlarge):
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