Speaker Series to Exhibit Fishtown’s History and its Impact on Culture

Lansing—The Fishtown Preservation Society Inc. in Leland will host a series of public presentations this summer discussing how the area’s commercial fishing industry shaped local culture. The project, “Telling Stories: Site Interpretation for Fishtown,” is made possible by a $15,000 grant from the Michigan Humanities Council.

“While Michigan’s commercial fishing industry is often thought about in terms of its economic impact, it has played a significant role in shaping the lives and livelihoods of our coastal communities and beyond. The Fishtown Preservation Society, Inc. has done an excellent job pulling together a set of presentations and exhibits that capture not only the rich, colorful history of the Great Lakes fishing industry, but also includes timely issues that threaten this important resource today,” said Katie Wolf, executive director of the Michigan Humanities Council.
“This effort exemplifies what the Humanities Council strives to do by funding community-based cultural programs” she added. “Reflecting and learning from our rich cultural heritage, cultivating a shared understanding of current issues, and building stronger, more-thoughtful communities for the future.”

Speakers will present on such topics as commercial fishing, invasive species, Great Lakes history, the culture of fishermen and more. Presentations will be in held in Fishtown. Additional August dates have not yet been finalized.

July 12th at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.: Explore Fishtown’s docks and tugs with past fisherman, Brian Price (Leelanau Conservancy).

July 14th at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m: Mark Breederland (Michigan Sea Grant) answers the question “Where did the water go?” in his presentation about the Fluctuating Lake Levels on the Great Lakes Coast.

July 19th & July 26th from 1-4 p.m.: Ryan Locke (National Park Service) offers hands-on information about Invasive Species of the Great Lakes.

July 28th from 2-4 p.m: Tom Kelly (Inland Seas) shares his personal observations of 40 years of Fishtown and the Great Lakes.

In addition to the speaker series, permanent exhibits on the history of Fishtown will be put on display later this summer. A book with historical photographs and background information will be available for purchase the spring of 2012.
The Fishtown Preservation Society seeks to preserve the historical integrity of Leland, Michigan’s Fishtown property and ensure that it continues as a publicly accessible and authentic connection to local and regional history, Great Lakes Commercial fishing, and maritime traditions and experiences. For further information contact the Fishtown Preservation Society at 231-256-8878 or on the web at www.FishtownMI.org

About the Michigan Humanities Council

The Michigan Humanities Council is a private, nonprofit organization created to foster a better understanding of each other and our state through local cultural, historical and literary experiences for all. The Council was founded in 1974 and is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities and individual donors. For more information on future programs, upcoming grant opportunities or how you can support these efforts, please visit www.michiganhumanities.org or call (517) 372-7770.

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