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August, 2021
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Artist Dennis Orlowski sketches portraits at Pulaski Park.

Museum links with school programs


    As part of its ongoing program to focus on education, the museum has begun participating in selected school programs. Most recently, the museum had a table set up at Pulaski Park for the public school district pop-up fair.

   The event gave the museum an opportunity to promote the history of Hamtramck and engage the community. Hamtramck coloring pages from the
Hamtramck History Coloring Book and crayons were supplied for kids (and at least one adult) to demonstrate their artistic abilities. Also, artist Dennis Orlowski, who created the massive "Coming to Hamtramck" mural at the museum, was on hand to do sketch portraits of attendees.

   Attending the fair was just an initial step in the museum's growing attention on education. The museum's new education committee has been formed and will hold its first meeting later this month. The committee, which is mainly made up of professional educators, will explore ways to educate the public - from young students to long-time residents - about the rich history of Hamtramck. In addition, it will seek to help instill a sense of pride and understanding of the unique community that Hamtramck is. That, in turn, will promote and understanding of the community and why it is important to be a responsible resident. 

   This is a ground breaking operation for a museum, but demonstrates once more that the Hamtramck Historical Museum lives up to its motto "We're different." Full reports of the committee's progress will be presented to the schools and the general public.  

 


Museum Expands Hours!
   
     People are getting out more as summer is here. In response, the Hamtramck Historical Museum is now open:
 
Fridays     11 am to 3  pm
Saturdays 11 am to 4 pm
Sundays   11 am to 3 pm
or by appointment.

Email us at hamtramckhistory@gmail.com to make arrangements.

 
From the Executive Director

Getting the message out
 
   What's the greatest challenge facing the Hamtramck Historical Museum?

   The easy answer is raising enough money to continue operations. In fact, that's pretty standard for all non-profit organizations. But while raising money is always an issue, the underlying concern is how to spread the word that the museum is here and operating. This Labor Day the museum will celebrate its eighth anniversary. And yet there are people familiar with Hamtramck who don't even know that we exist including some who live in Hamtramck.

   We have used a number of avenues to deliver our message that we are preserving the history of Hamtramck including social media, newspaper coverage, appearances on media, podcast programs and high profile activities like the three archeological digs we were involved in with Wayne State University. But it is like swimming against the current: progress is slow.

   While all of these methods have worked to some extent, the strongest method of reaching others is by word of mouth. People who visit the museum - no matter how they found about us - pass the word to others that this is a great place to visit.

   So slowly we are gaining traction with the general public, but you can all help make the process move faster by telling others about us. Promote us. Become our community ambassadors and tell others about what we have to offer here and what we are accomplishing.

   Eight years in operation may seem like a long time, but for a museum that is the blink of an eye. Right now we are laying the foundation of an institution we expect to last for generations. To ensure that, we are active in a number of projects, including some that are ground breaking in the area of museum operations. I'm proud to say we have been inventive and resourceful and relentless in pushing new programs and procedures.

   So please don't forget us or underestimate what you can accomplish in making this museum a continuing success. We appreciate it, and so will future generations of Hamtramckans and friends of Hamtramck.


Greg Kowalski
Executive Director 

   
Stars of the past

History was made in Hamtramck Tuesday, Aug. 4, when the renovations to the historical ball field at Veterans Memorial Park officially were launched.

About 200 persons attended the ceremonies that featured a lineup of speakers, including Detroit Tigers owner Chris Ilitch, Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans and Mayor Karen Majewski, among others.

The stadium is one of the last five remaining stadiums in the country where the old Negro Baseball League used to play. Recently the Friends of Historic Hamtramck Stadium (which is separate from the Friends of Historical Hamtramck) received an $850,000 grant from Wayne County to help with the $2.6 million renovation plan. Work will start on the historical structure before the end of the year.

 
Getting ready for the Polish National Alliance Mother's Day banquet in 1943.
 
Follow Us on Facebook

Everyday the Hamtramck Historical Museum publishes a different historical photo on Facebook. We have presented over 500 photos so far. Some give insight into Hamtramck's history. Others are purely nostalgic. All are interesting. Please consider donating by mail or on our website.
   
We have thousands of photos in our archives and we want to continue sharing them with you.

 
The grave of Col. John Francis Hamtramck at Mt. Elliott Cemetery in Detroit
before he was moved to Hamtramck in 1962.
 
You're Invited

   Next year Hamtramck will celebrate it's 100th anniversary of incorporation as a city. The museum is currently making plans to celebrate that event throughout the year. 
 
YOU CAN BE A PART OF IT!
 
Many of us have great memories of growing up and living in Hamtramck.

You are invited to write a short (no more than 300 words) account of your favorite impression of Hamtramck.  These will be collected for a special display next year at the museum.  It may be that shopping trip you made with your mom down Jos. Campau when you were a little kid. Or a school basketball game. Or playing in the park. Whatever, write it down and mail it or email it to us. Include a non-returnable photo if you are able. 

    Let's keep the memory of old Hamtramck alive.

 
New Acquisitions
Memories... memories...

Sitting pretty

   Andrew Lesondak used the resourcefulness demonstrated by many immigrants who found ways to survive and thrive in a new land. He built this high chair in the 1930s incorporating an old school seat. The high chair is amazingly strong. This item was donated by Joanne Shine and Florence Hadley.
 

Be a Friend

In order for the Hamtramck Historical Museum to thrive and be sustainable for the future, we need your support. One of the best ways to do that is to become a Friend of Historical Hamtramck.

There are a variety of Friends' membership levels, and it's easy to join. Membership information can be found on the Museum website,
www.hamtramckhistory.org.


Just click here to join!

If you are not a member, please become one, and tell all your friends about how they can become our Friends. We have made tremendous progress in the past few years as we have renovated the Museum building and expanded our outreach programs, but much remains to be done.

Be a part of that.

 


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Copyright © 2021 Friends of Historical Hamtramck, All rights reserved.


greg@hamtramckhistory.com

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