Report of the Ypsilanti Historical Museum
The Museum was open 160 days on a scheduled basis and was open for special exhibits and by special appointment for school groups and others who wished to visit.
Fifty-four Volunteer Guides have given approximately 15000 hours on scheduled days. One thousand two hundred and twenty-five signed the guest register. Many others visited who did not sign the register.
Forty nine groups which included some 1,025 persons (children and adults) visited the Museum.
Total visitors recorded 2250.
SPECIAL GROUPS THAT VISITED THE MUSEUM
Ypsilanti Historical Society
Dexter Historical Society
Adult Education class
Delta Kappa Gamma Educational Society
P.E.O.
Church Groups
Newcomers Club
Altrusa
Persons from Half Way House
Boy Scouts (Ypsilanti & Lincoln Area)
Girl Scouts
Brownies
Michigan Historical Commission
City Manager, Mr. Warren and Heads of City Department
SCHOOL GROUPS
Ypsilanti: Adams-3 classes, Ardis
Belleville
Willow Run: Cheney School, Ford School, Kaiser School, Kettering School, Holmes School
SPECIAL EVENTS
Valentine Making Workshop
Quilting Demonstration
Easter Egg Decorating
Candle making Demonstration
Needlepoint Demonstration
Woodworking demonstration
Dried Flower Demonstration
NOTEWORTHY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
The Bicentennial “kick off” was an exhibit of Revolutionary Documents from the Smithsonian Institute. This was held for a month, with the Museum being open and staffed extra days during that time.
There was an outstanding exhibit from the Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing which featured several Michigan Governors.
Substantial additions have been made to our library of books relating to our furnishings, etc.
A special exhibit of new acquisitions is kept up to date.
The upper hall of the Museum was decorated. The money for this project was donated by members of the Historical Society and by other interested persons, some of whom live out of town.
New lighting fixtures have been installed in the upper hall.
Various accessories have been purchased by the Administrative Committee: A. rug for the upper hall. B. Reupholstering of some of the antique pieces.
A continual upgrading of the Museum is being done by changing exhibits and by having special exhibits.
All exhibit cases in the Museum have been lighted.
A library room on the second floor has been refurbished and furnished appropriately.
We have had excellent rapport with the local press. A record of our activities is available at the
Museum.
A feature article appeared in the “Tri-State Trader” about our Museum. This is a weekly publication that reaches thousands of subscribers in the Mid West, especially.
The Solarium has been well stocked with plants of the Victorian era.
A herb garden was planted and cared for.
Conferences have been attended by several persons-Southeast Regional Conference of Museuns Michigan Department of State, History Division Michigan Museums Association Workshop for Problems of Small Museums
An Award of Merit Plaque was given by the State Historical Commission which reads-“The Ypsilanti Historical Society was cited because of the successful efforts in establishing and operating the Historical Museum”.
The Historical Society's Christmas party is always an outstanding event.
PROJECTIONS FOR THE FUTUE
We are continually working to improve the appearance of the Museum and its exhibits.
We are encouraging the cultural activity of the community.
We are making available our personnel, as well as the Museum, for community groups.
We are striving to increase the membership of the Historical Society.
We are working closely with the local schools' staff.
We are in need of storage space.
We are planning new floor coveringe and the refinishing of some of the floors.
We are having a case made for the upper hall in which to put an extensive collection of dolls.
We are extremely proud of our Museum, our Director, and the many people who give unstintingly of
their time and efforts to make the Museum a vital part of this community.
Doris Milliman
Acting Chairman, Administrative Committee
LaRea Swarts,
Director, Ypsilanti Historical Museum
