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November 2020 
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Dr. Stephanie Hartwell, WSU dean, signs the Memorandum of Understanding with Museum Executive Director Greg Kowalski.
Museum signs pact with WSU

   The Hamtramck Historical Museum has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Wayne State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

   The formal agreement was signed Monday, Oct. 25, at the museum by WSU Dean Stephanie Hartwell and museum Executive Director Greg Kowalski.

   The agreement links the museum and WSU directly to share some resources and exchange services. For example, the university can supply guest speakers and give us access to university's archives. We also can host interns from the university who can help with needed services, such as archiving, while the students gain valuable experience at the museum. 

   This is a landmark agreement for both entities. The Hamtramck Historical Museum is the first museum that WSU has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with to share services in this manner.

   This also increases the museum's profile among other professional organizations. From our beginning the Hamtramck Historical Museum has stressed that we are not a typical community museum. "We're different" is more than our motto, it is our guiding principle.

From the Executive Director

   I'm still quite amazed at how busy we have been and how much has been accomplished by the Hamtramck Historical Museum despite the limitations imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

   We have canceled all programs, of course, for the remainder of the year and probably into next spring. Still we have been active inside and outside the museum. But keep in mind, in all cases we are following strict safety precautions - all must wear masks, social distancing is required and the museum is routinely disinfected. But that hasn't stopped us from expanding our social media presence (stay tuned for a big announcement about that) and focusing on a number of projects, such as reorganizing our archives, setting up new displays, restructuring our filing system and doing the countless things that have to be done to keep the museum operating smoothly.

   It's not easy functioning efficiently under these circumstances, but we have been succeeding in a variety of areas.

   We also are looking to the future to ensure the sustainability of museum by carefully expanding our board of directors and increasing our sources of funding.

    Finally, the museum is about to embark on a new, major renovation project that will enhance its appearance and increase its display space. (replacing the main floor carpeting, expanding the gallery area and opening the now hidden staircase to the basement). These are major projects but we feel confident that this is the time to move forward. 

   For now, stay safe. Stay strong  

Greg Kowalski
Executive Director
 

Students complete archaeological dig
 
 The Wayne State University students under the direction of Dr. Krysta Ryzewski have concluded their archaeological dig at the site of the old Village Hall at Jos. Campau between Alice and Grayling streets.

   The students came to the museum for two sessions of sorting and studying the material. They will write reports on their finds and a number of the items will be placed on display at the Hamtramck Historical Museum.

  You can learn more about the project in the feature Paul Gross of WDIV- Channel 4 TV did.

Click here to view. 
 
Look what's new
 

Thanks go out to Eric Mak for donating this wooden Jos. Campau street sign.  such signs were in use from the early 1930s until they were replaced in 1956. Originally, they were painted black with white lettering.
 

Membership renewal time

   Membership renewals to the Friends of Historical Hamtramck were sent out in October. Tt is so exciting to see renewals come in from familiar faces.

Your membership is critical to the future of the Hamtramck Historical Museum. It is our principal source of revenue.

Please renew your membership and ask others to share in support of our 501C3 Organization  Click here 

 

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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greg@hamtramckhistory.com

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