The Empire Area Heritage Group, steered by local history guru Dave Taghon, won a State History Award late last month from the Historical Society of Michigan at the 138th Annual Meeting and State History Conference in Monroe, Michigan. The State History Awards are the highest recognition presented by the state’s official historical society.
The Empire Area Museum complex will open its doors to the community and area visitors for the annual Heritage Day event, 1-4 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 13. This year’s gathering takes place during the organization’s 40th anniversary celebration.
What do a horsehide sleigh blanket, Liz Shimek’s basketball jersey, a Civil War sword and scabbard, and an entire one-room schoolhouse all have in common? All have a story to tell of their time and place in southern Leelanau’s collective past, and all form just a fraction of the collection of the Empire Area Heritage Group, now celebrating its 40th year.
The Empire Area Museum will conduct a series of fun-filled history lessons over four Fridays in May and June at the Empire Township Hall. “It’s a great opportunity to meet with summer friends, munch some free popcorn and learn about this area’s wonderful heritage,” said museum spokesperson Dave Taghon. “We encourage all newcomers, as well as the old natives, to come out and share their thoughts after each presentation.”