January 2021

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The news crew from France spent a Sunday afternoon exploring and recording at the museum.

Paris preview

The Hamtramck Historical Museum is going international. On Sunday, January 10, reporter Laure Hereux and a camera operator from Canal Plus, a TV network in Paris, France, visited the museum as part of a story they are doing on the city.

Their focus was on immigration and diversity. Hamtramck is one of the most diverse cities in the nation, and it was a logical place for them to come. They spent a substantial amount of time filming the Coming to Hamtramck mural by artist Dennis Orlowski, which chronicles the major immigrant groups who have come to Hamtramck over the centuries.

The program will be broadcast in France but will be available on YouTube. We will post a link when it is up. But take note that the story will be in French!

From the Executive Director

Facing the new year

Well, we made it through 2020 and now we are into 2021. As you all know, 2020 was a tremendously difficult and tumultuous year and we didn't know what to expect from month to month. In fact, we closed for several months in the spring.

But as time went by we realized just how resilient we are. We reopened our doors, and using proper safety protocols, were able to return to somewhat normal operations. We are still not able to offer programs in the museum building, but we are remarkably busy.

Not only are we making plans for what we will do when the pandemic finally lifts we also are working on projects now. And we're hoping to continue to make improvements to the museum building this year. This a testament to the strength of the museum and the wonderful support we have received by the community, especially the members of the Friends of Historical Hamtramck.

I am very excited about 2021. This is shaping up to be perhaps the most important year since we opened in 2013. And by this time next year I'm hoping to look back on a litany of accomplishments. Stay tuned.

For now, stay safe and be well.

Greg Kowalski
Executive Director

What's in store for 2021

Despite the limitations imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Hamtramck Historical Museum continues to make progress in a number of areas. Here are some examples:

The museum is in the process of helping draft a history and art curriculum to be implemented in the Hamtramck Public Schools. This will be a groundbreaking step forward for the schools and the museum.
2022 will mark the 100th anniversary of the formation of the City of Hamtramck. Prior to that it had been a village and township. Plans are being proposed now for the big celebration in the post-pandemic time.
The podcast studio which will operate in the museum is in place and checks and tests are being conducted. The first programs should be made available by early February. Watch for updates.
The 2020 Annual Report for the Friends of Historical Hamtramck, the Hamtramck Historical Commission and the Hamtramck Historical Museum will be completed by early February. The report will be made public and be on the museum website, www.hamtramckhistory.org, for all to view.
By spring, plans are expected to be in place for replacing the floor of the main gallery of the museum. This will be a major step forward in the development of the museum.

Jos. Campau was once a sea of signs. remember?

Follow us on Facebook

Everyday the Hamtramck Historical Museum publishes a different historical photo on Facebook. We have presented over 300 photo so far. Some give insight into Hamtramck's history. Other are purely nostalgic. All are interesting.

Please consider donating at the link provided on our Facebook page or on our website.

We have thousands of photos in our archives and we want to continue sharing them with you.

Membership renewal time

Membership renewals to the Friends of Historical Hamtramck were sent out recently. We are getting a good response but there are many more that haven't yet returned their renewal forms.

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

What's new

This vintage light fixture hung in a house on Neibel Street for many years before it was donated to the museum by Dennis Dureno.

The light is hanging in the home section of the museum where it is on display with a variety of other housewares and fixtures. Stop by and take a look.

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.

Hamtramck Happening....

Remember to sign up for the annual Paczki Run! 2021 is VIRTUAL!

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

greg@hamtramckhistory.com

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