[Michiganweek-l] 25 Ways for Families to Celebrate Michigan's Heritage

[Cindy Krueger]

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25 Ways for Families to Celebrate Michigan's Heritage


1.	Take a child to a historical site.  Or, take an online tour of more than 3,000 designated Michigan historical sites on the State Historic Preservation Office's Michigan's Historic Sites Online <http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/hso/> database.
2.	Learn more about the many cultural events and attractions <http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17447---,00.html> around the state, then pick a museum, festival, play, concert or exhibit to take your child to.
3.	Ask a librarian to assist you in tracking your ancestry back at least one more generation than you are positive of now.  (See more information about genealogy research <http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17449_18635---,00.html>.)
4.	Prepare a family cookbook.  Include historical information and tidbits.
5.	Put together a year 2005 time capsule.  Encourage family members and neighbors to participate.
6.	Volunteer!  Volunteer to be a museum guide, rehabilitate a historic site or clean up a park or playground.
7.	Watch a movie starring a famous Michiganian like Lily Tomlin, Tom Selleck or Tom Skerritt, or see one of the many movies filmed in Michigan <http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17445_19275-51916--,00.html>.
8.	Listen to music by a famous Michiganian like Anita Baker, Madonna, Stevie Wonder, Bob Seger or Diana Ross.  Check out a whole list of famous Michiganians <http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-15481_20826_20836---,00.html> on the Department of History, Arts and Libraries Michigan Facts and History page.
9.	Get a subscription to Michigan History magazine <http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17445_19273_19324---,00.html> for your family.
10.	Take a canoe trip down a local river.
11.	Share a craft or skill with a local youth group. Serve as a mentor for a youth who shows particular interest.
12.	Take a trip to a historical inn or restaurant in another part of the state.
13.	Learn about family heirlooms. Write down their history and protect them.
14.	Read a book by a Michigan author, about Michigan or set in Michigan.  Check out the Michigan Notable Books list <http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17447_18630_22778-61920--,00.html> for some great examples, and look for more information on the Michigan Authors and Illustrators database <http://mel.org/miai/miai.html>.  Browse for books about Michigan at your local library or bookstore.
15.	Make t-shirts or sweatshirts for your family, church, school or club promoting Michigan Week and wear them proudly!
16.	Replace your old Michigan map.  (Click here to request a free state map <http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,1607,7-151-9622-30026--,00.html>.)  See how many cities in Michigan you've been to * how many have you missed?
17.	Tour an auto manufacturing, food or milk processing plant.  Some offer free samples!
18.	Learn along with a child how to make a cornhusk doll <http://www.michigan.gov/mikids/0,1607,7-163-15941_20571---,00.html> or how to make butter <http://www.michigan.gov/mikids/0,1607,7-163-15941_20573---,00.html> like they did in the old days.
19.	Take a trip through different eras in Michigan history on the Michigan Historical Museum’s Kids’ Stuff <http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-15481_19268_20778---,00.html> page.
20.	Look at grocery store labels and see how many products are made in Michigan.  Michigan is number one in the nation in a number of products - can you name them? Check out this clickable and informative map of Michigan commodities <http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-2961_6860_7657---,00.html>.
21.	Make a Michigan meal - prepare  recipes made with Michigan products <http://www.michigan.gov/mda/1,1607,7-125-1570_2468_2472---,00.html>.
22.	Take a Michigan lighthouse tour.
23.	Do you know what Michigan's state flower, bird and stone are? Try to find an example of each.  Learn more about Michigan’s state symbols <http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-15481_20826_20829-54112--,00.html>.
24.	Trace your home's history.
25.	Celebrate Michigan Week <http://www.michigan.gov/hal/0,1607,7-160-17447_18630---,00.html> your own way, May 21-27, 2005!