Michigan's Roadside Program Seeks Artifacts, Stories, Photos

The Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing is planning an exhibit called Michigan's Roadside Attractions in 2009, and is looking for stories, pictures, and artifacts of the attractions, some of which no longer exist, that travelers have visited on their way to other destinations. Examples are Big John, the World's Largest Miner near Iron Mountain, or the Twin Towers in the Irish Hills.

"We want to hear what made you stop at these roadside attractions, places like the Mystery Spot in St. Ignace, Deer Forest in Coloma, Windmill Island in Holland, and the multiple locations where Paul Bunyan has been spotted, and to see the photos you took and the souvenirs that you kept," said Phillip C. Kwiatkowski, director of the Michigan Historical Museum System. "Our biggest need is your treasured mementos, from miniature Paul Bunyan statues and plastic purses to dinosaurs, seashells, and even ceramic doll dish sets."

Business owners who have operated roadside attractions and tourism promotional organizations are also encouraged to share items.

Anyone with information or items to contribute can contact Eve Weipert, curator of collections, at (517) 373-1509 or weiperte@michigan. gov.

Artifacts used in the exhibit will be considered on loan and will be returned after the exhibit ends. Items are needed by April 1 to allow time to complete the exhibit storyline around the available artifacts.

The museum is inside the Michigan Library and Historical Center at 702 West Kalamazoo Street, two blocks west of the State Capitol in downtown Lansing.