Celebrate Macomb County's bicentennial with new program series

To celebrate the 200^th anniversary of the founding of Macomb County, Macomb Community College presents Making Macomb: A Journey Through 200 Years, Feb. 28 through May 5, at the Lorenzo Cultural Center, which is on the college’s Center Campus in Clinton Township. The program series consists of more than 20 informative presentations on the history and development of Macomb County complemented by a variety of exhibits in the cultural center’s 8,500-square-foot Discovery Hall.

“Macomb County has a rich history and has been a driving force in the state from its establishment in 1818 as the third county in the Michigan territory,” said William Wood, director of cultural affairs, Macomb Community College. “Making Macomb sheds light on key aspects of our history, culture and heritage through engaging presentations and informative exhibits.”

The Making Macomb presentations range in topic from an examination of the early Native American influences in the area to modern day impacts such as Selfridge Air National Guard Base and current economic conditions in Macomb County. The accompanying exhibits will give visitors a glimpse into Macomb’s past through artifacts, displays and interpretative panels including a scale replica of the Gratiot Drive-In and iconic vehicles including the locally built military M37 transport and 1950 Ford F150. Artifacts include personal belongings of the county’s namesake, Alexander Macomb, locally manufactured items and other items representing significant places and events in the county’s history. Also included is a traveling exhibit from the Arab American National Museum highlighting some of the stories of one of the newer groups of immigrants to Macomb County.

The presentations kick-off on Feb. 28 with a discussion of Macomb County’s progression and transition to a charter form of government by a panel of those who were involved in the process. They will discuss reasons for the change and the progress made over the first seven years.

On March 3, Jack Lessenberry, head of the journalism faculty at Wayne State University and senior news analyst on WUOM-FM, will present Macomb County, Swing County – The Reality and the Myth. Lessenberry is also a contributing editor and columnist for the Metro Times and has written for many national and regional publications.

Local historians and authors Bob and Cherie Allen will present Civil War History in Macomb County Cemeteries on March 16, giving an overview of research involved in identifying and recording the civil war solders interred in Macomb cemeteries.

While the presentations and exhibits are open to the public free of charge, preregistration is required for the presentations by calling 586.445.7348 or by emailing culturalcenter@macomb.edu. No registration is required to visit the exhibits. The cultural center is open Wednesday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

For a complete listing of all Making Macomb: A Journey Through 200 Years programming visit: www.lorenzoculturalcenter.com.