AASLH Member Since 1995
The Historical Society of Michigan (HSM) is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a grant by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to achieve its project “Expanding the Story: Engaging Michigan’s Urban, Minority, and Underserved Communities.” This $300,000 grant will allow HSM to accomplish two significant objectives: 1) to continue the work of its original Kellogg Foundation grant to more fully engage Michigan’s minority and underserved communities in the appreciation of state history, and 2) to begin a new initiative to re-launch Michigan History for Kids magazine. The grant period will be from July 1, 2014, through June 30, 2016.
“We are very happy that a major element of this grant will enable us to bring back Michigan History for Kids,” said Larry J. Wagenaar, Executive Director of the Society. “Besides being an important tool for the study of history for elementary-age children, this magazine will feature lessons in history that reflect the diversity of our state.”
Geared toward students in the third and fourth grades, Michigan History for Kids will be launched in several stages. “We will be working from the ground up on this magazine,” continued Wagenaar. “From hiring a new Education Outreach Director and Editor of Michigan History for Kids who will oversee the project to developing content that reflects the stories of all Michigan peoples, Michigan History for Kids and its related efforts will be a huge undertaking, but one we are looking forward to bringing to fruition.”
The Education Outreach Director and Editor of Michigan History for Kids will also assist with education outreach by developing curriculum, in tandem with teachers, that ties together school requirements with content from the magazine, the Michigan History Day (National History Day in Michigan) competition, and other educational initiatives of the Society. The re-launch for Michigan History for Kids is expected to include the debut of a digital version that children will be able to access over the Internet. A print version will also be available. Limited availability of Michigan History for Kids is expected in the fall of 2014 as HSM undertakes a “soft launch” with select schools to allow for feedback and improvements in preparation for larger scale availability in 2015.
The grant will also continue the work of HSM’s original Kellogg Foundation grant, “Exploring the History of All Michigan Peoples,” which ended December 31, 2013. This round will see support and increased services for Michigan’s minority and underserved communities through a multitude of channels.
First, HSM will extend in-depth field services and professional consulting to organizations that are focused on preserving and interpreting minority history so that they become sustainable institutions within their communities. Second, outreach to communities with high populations of minority students will continue so that more children will be able to participate in the Michigan History Day competitions. There will also be opportunities for after-school clubs and schools to receive additional support in order to partake in the Michigan History Day program. Third, HSM will continue to offer diverse content in every facet of its publications, conferences, and workshops.
For more information on HSM and its programs, visit www.hsmichigan.org
The Historical Society of Michigan is our state’s oldest cultural organization, founded in 1828 by territorial governor Lewis Cass and explorer Henry Schoolcraft. A nongovernmental nonprofit, the Society focuses on publications, conferences, education, awards and recognition programming, and support for local history organizations to preserve and promote Michigan’s rich history.
The Historical Society of Michigan
5815 Executive Dr.
Lansing, MI 48911
Phone: (517) 324-1828 • FAX: (517) 324-4370
www.hsmichigan.org
Contact
Nancy Feldbush
Communications Manager
(517) 324-1828
feldbush@hsmichigan.org
