DON'T MISS THE TRAVERSE CITY FILM FESTIVAL - JULY 28-AUG. 3, 2008

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A Home for Grand Traverse History

Andrew Carnegie was born November 25, 1835 in Scotland to an impoverished family. By 1851, he had immigrated to the US. He became a telegraph messenger boy in the Pittsburgh Office of the Ohio Telegraph Company. From there he had a hand in many businesses, later founding Carnegie Steel Company (which became US Steel). He eventually became known as a “Captain of Industry.” He was easily one of America’s wealthiest men ever, and he felt strongly obligated to give some of that wealth back to society. He donated millions of dollars to build schools, libraries and universities in the US, as well as in Scotland and many other countries. He also contributed to numerous peaceful causes in the world.

In 1904 Traverse City was fortunate to be the recipient of one of Andrew Carnegie’s donations. The city received $20,000 from him to build a library. Perry Hannah donated a beautiful piece of land on Sixth Street that overlooked the river. On March 10, 1905, the new library was officially opened.

Several years later, in 1934, a museum focusing on the history and culture of the Grand Traverse Region was established in Clinch Park near West Grand Traverse Bay. The building was constructed with funds from the Works Progress Administration. It was first operated by Con Foster, the city’s parks commissioner, who traveled 15,000 miles throughout the upper Midwest over the course of six years to purchase Native American artifacts. At the end of his tenure the museum was named in his honor.

By 1997 the Con Foster Museum had outgrown its space. Concurrently, the Traverse Area District Library was preparing to move into a new building on Woodmere (where it now sits). The city, museum and several related historical groups worked together to renovate the old Carnegie Library, allowing for a new space for the Con Foster Museum. In so doing, the Grand Traverse Heritage Center was formed, opening in June 2002.

The Grand Traverse Heritage Center is dedicated to preserving, promoting and presenting the history and culture of the Grand Traverse Region. Within easy walking distance from downtown in the historic Sixth Street neighborhood, it houses Traverse City’s Museum of History, along with the offices and collections of five more historical organizations devoted to our regions’s heritage: the Grand Traverse Pioneer and Historical Society; Grand Traverse Rock & Mineral Club; Maritime Heritage Alliance; the Railroad Historical Society; and the Women’s History Project of Northwest Michigan.

The museum features permanent and thematic exhibits and programming that tell the story of Traverse City and the Grand Traverse region. Exhibits draw on the museum’s collection of over 6,000 artifacts of local, national and Native American culture and the Historical Society’s collection of over 10,000 historical photographs and documents. The museum also hosts an active slate of public events and educational programming for all ages, including Heritage Days, Family Fun Days, concerts, historic walking tours, guided group tours, films and lectures.

This summer, along with those events mentioned above, the Heritage Center will host “Mysteries of the Lake: Lake Michigan Legends and Lore.” It opens Saturday, June 9 and will run through November. This is an interactive exhibit that will feature stories about shipwrecks, ghost ships, pirates, legends of treasure, and Lake Michigan’s stormy weather. Included will be interactive displays, video presentations and a computer station. Opening day will be a family fun day with activities and special displays, followed by the first “Maritime Songwriters in the Park” concert, featuring maritime music by Songwriters in the Round. It begins at 4 p.m. in Hannah Park. Other concerts are scheduled for July 7, August 8 and Sept. 8.

In addition, on June 15, the Haig Golf Tournament will be held in memory of Traverse City resident and golf legend Walter Hagen. During the tournament at Elmbrook Golf Course, players must dress in vintage attire and use hickory stick clubs to honor golf heritage. Proceeds will benefit the Heritage Center. Throughout the summer, groups or individuals can also visit the Heritage Center. Guided and self-guided walking tours are available that will take you through the nearby historic neighborhood.

Visit the Grand Traverse Heritage Center for a personal look at our region’s rich and cultural past. The Heritage Center is located at 322 Sixth Street, right next to Hannah Park, in the historic Sixth Street neighborhood. For more information please call 231-995-0313 or visit www.gtheritagecenter.com.