From Feb. 28 to May 9, the Lorenzo Cultural Center in Clinton Township is featuring the 101 People, Places and Things that Made Michigan.
Part of Macomb Community College’s Center Campus, the Lorenzo Cultural Center offers visitors a chance to explore Michigan’s intriguing, diverse history. The series will include exhibits and over 40 free events, ranging from presentations to performances.
101 People, Places and Things that Made Michigan starts at 1pm on Feb. 28 with Neal Rubin’s presentation. A columnist at the Detroit News, Rubin will present a talk titled “Mount Michmore: Besides You and Me, Who Deserves to be Carved in Stone?” He will dive into the lives of the key people in Michigan history, offering little-konwn facts about them. Rubin will also explore the lesser-konwn people who have had an impact on the state.
The exhibits, located in the cultural center’s 8,500 square-foot Discovery Hall, will also explore the things that are Michigan made. Artifacts include a World War II vehicle from the Willow Run factory, a Mustang convertible, items from Motown Records, and items from the 22nd Michigan Regiment of the Civil War.
There will also be items on loan from the Arsenal of Democracy Museum, the Port Huron Museum, the Detroit Historical Museum, and various private collectors and historical societies.
Program Highlights
Michigan’s Heroes, Visionaries, Leaders, and Scoundrels
March 1 – The Kevorkian File: The Real Story with journalist Jack Lessenberry
April 11 – Viola Liuzzo: Passionate Undertakings, presented by Michael Placco, professor of history at Macomb
April 17 – Killing Jimmy Hoffa, 40 Years Later with filmmakers Al Profit and Scott Burnstein
April 22 – Coleman A. Young: His Life and Legacy with Patrina Chatman of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
April 23 – Stevens T. Mason: The Boy Governor with author Don Faber
Michigan at War
Mar 22 – Michigan in the Civil War with Roger L. Rosentreter of Michigan State University
April 8 – French Town and the Battle of River Raisin, 1813 presented by historian Ralph Naveaux
April 12 – The Toledo War: The Origin of the Michigan-Ohio Rivalry with Alan Naldrett of Baker College
April 15 – The Peace Pipe and the War Axe: Treaties for the Land that Made Michigan with Charles E. Cleland of Michigan State University
April 17 – The Attack at Michilimackinac and the War Called Pontiac’s with Keith R. Widder, former curator of history, Mackinac Island State Park Commission
Social Change in Michigan
March 14 – Detroit: Race Riots, Racial Conflicts, and Efforts to Bridge the Racial Divide by Joe T. Darden and Richard W. Thomas of Michigan State University
March 21 – The Employers’ Association of Detroit and the Making of the Motor City with Thomas Klug from Marygrove College
March 26 – Ethnic Diversity in Michigan presented by author Armando Delicato
April 9 – A Hanging in Detroit and the Abolishment of Capital Punishment in Michigan with attorney and author David Chardavoyne
Performances
March 20 – Stories, Songs and Dances of the Voyageur with storyteller Genot Picor and fiddler Jim Boynton
April 25 – Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad with storyteller Miz Rosie (Rosie Chapman)
May 1 – Bunyan and Banjoes with singer and songwriter Kitty Donohoe
Event Schedule and Admission
A complete schedule of events is available here. Admission to 101 People, Places and Things that Made Michigan is free, but visitors are required to pre-register for all performances and presentations.
Visitors can register by calling 586-445-7348 or by visiting www.LorenzoCulturalCenter.com. The cultural center is open Wednesday through Saturday 10am-4pm and Sundays from 1-4pm.
