May 18, 2012

Remembering the Raisin this weekend with War of 1812 activities at nation’s newest national park

 The River Raisin National Battlefield Park commemorates the mustering of militia for the War of 1812 this weekend with scheduled events from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20.

The “War of 1812: A Nation Forged by War” exhibit developed by the National Museum of the United States Navy will debut in the Battlefield Visitor Center along with new period demonstration gardens outside that showcase native and French herbs, vegetables, and ornamental plants!

“An incredible amount of work has gone into enhancing the Battlefield for this year’s Open House.  Because of the contributions of numerous very generous individuals, businesses, and organizations this weekend’s events are going to be wonderful,” said Superintendent Scott Bentley.

In addition to the new gardens and exhibit, the Battlefield is opening its new “Trading Post,” which offers many items including the New Release of the National Park’s Monopoly which includes River Raisin National Battlefield Park!  “The items you will find in the “Trading Post” are unique to River Raisin Battlefield or National Park’s,” said Superintendent Bentley.

Weekend activities include living history encampments, musket demonstrations, military drills, mini-militia’s, 1812 games, and historical demonstrations of cooking, gardening, medicines, clothing, and much more!

Kids will enjoy a visit by Major Muskrat as he joins the activities with appearances on Saturday at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and then again on Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.!

“Hey Everyone, come on out and join the fun with me this weekend… I forecast sunny a sunny day full of excitement on the grounds of the Battlefield!” said Major Muskrat.

 Authorized in 2009 and established in October of 2010 as America’s newest National Battlefield Park, River Raisin National Battlefield Park remembers, commemorates, preserves and interprets the January 1813 battles of the War of 1812 and their aftermath.

Although American forces were victorious in the first battle, the second ended in the most disastrous defeat for the U.S. during the war; a devastating loss that included mass killing of the wounded.  One of the most historically significant event to emerge from the battles was the cry, “Remember the Raisin!” which persuaded forces to fight successfully at the Battle of the Thames later that year.

The American victory at the Battle of the Thames sealed the War of 1812 in the western theater for the Americans; however, it claimed the life of the great Shawnee leader Chief Tecumseh. 

The River Raisin National Battlefield Park is located at 1403 E. Elm Avenue, Monroe, MI 48162. For more information, call 734.243.7136.

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May 14, 2012

Southeast Michigan Sightseeing Tour

Southeast Michigan Sightseeing Tours

Sundays: June 24, Jul 22, Aug 19

12:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Bus departure: Hometown History Tours Depot, 150 Maple, Wyandotte, MI

Click here to book tour

A Great Lake, a national park, an international wildlife refuge, a port, a former navy air base, a historic home belonging to America’s most controversial military figure, a historically progressive convent, and more – all in one day!

Join us as we journey down the Old Hull Highway (Jefferson Avenue), Michigan’s first road, and traverse a historic trail from Wyandotte to Monroe where our guides will recount the vibrant cultural, agricultural, industrial and military history of this region.

A couple of cuties we’ll see at Gibraltar Bay Alpacas

Rich in natural resources, this region became a hotbed for industries producing steel, ships, chemicals, power and even furniture.

Tourgoers will see how smokestacks of the 19th and 20th centuries have given way to greenways featuring miles of hiking and biking trails, wetlands, waterfowl nesting colonies and one of the best spots in eastern North America to see the autumn migration of over two dozen species of raptors such as eagles, kites, falcons, owls and vultures. We’ll even see an innovative vegetable garden cultivated with reclaimed steam on top of a forging factory!

 

Ticket price:

$20 Adult / $15 Youth

Early Bird Special: Order tickets 3 weeks or more in advance and receive 10% off your ticket purchase.

Group rates available for parties of 10 or more

Southeast Michigan Sightseeing Tours are funded in part by a grant from Downriver Linked Greenways and Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

Hometown History Tours offers a variety of public tours. Check out our schedule here. We also provide private walking and bus tours as well as step-on guide service. Contact us at: 734.642.5712 to discuss your needs.

Click here to book tour

Posted by on May 14, 2012 in Uncategorized.

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April 14, 2012

Insight into Detroit’s historic Black Bottom and Lafayette Park neighborhoods

Inside Lafayette Park, a multi-event design celebration, focuses on the area’s modern architecture by renowned architect Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe as well as the historic predominantly black neighborhood called Black Bottom due to the  rich soil found there which preceded Lafayette Park.

Inside Lafayette Park runs from  April 14 through April 22 at Lafayette Park Retail, 1565 East Lafayette, Detroit and is presented by the University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture (UDMSOA), Lawrence Technological University (LTU), and Wayne State University in conjunction with RogueHAA, Preservation Detroit, The Art Deco Society, Lafayette Foods, and the Detroit Creative Corridor Center.

The exhibit is comprised of:

The Settlement Shape by Milan Polytechnic’s School of Architecture is a  traveling exhibition showcasing the culmination of ten years of research and documentation on Detroit’s Lafayette Park. It features models, drawings and photographs which trace the history and theories behind the visionary design of  Ludwig  Mies van der Rohe, Ludwig Hilbersheimer, and Alfred Caldwell.  After making the rounds at major universities in Europe this past year, The Settlement Shape  makes its  Detroit debut.

Thanks For the View, Mr. Mies is an exhibition created by Danielle Aubert, Lana Cavar, and Natasha Chandani featuring photographs of Lafayette Park taken by residents Corine Vermeulen and Vasco Roma as well as reproductions of neighborhood newsletters and event invitations from the past 50 years provided courtesy of Cordelia Brown. A book titled  Thanks for the View, Mr. Mies will be released this fall by  Metropolis Books.
Black Bottom, authored by RogueHAA,  showcases the historical significance of this area once known as  Black Bottom prior to the Mies’ urban renewal project. RogueHAA is a design, architecture and urban advocacy collaboration.

The following events accompany the exhibition:

•April 14th 6-9pm: Opening Reception and opening remarks
•April 20th: FLOWER CABIN dance performance video screening
•April 21st 6-9pm: rogueHAA panel discussion – URBAN FUTURES – and closing reception
•April 22nd: Society of Architectural Historians tour through Lafayette Park and through the exhibit

Inside Lafayette Park is one of several collaborative events organized by RogueHAA as part of their 2011-2012 PROVOCATIONS series: URBAN FUTURES.

Thank you to Melissa Dittmer of RogueHAA for the press release and flyers.

 

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March 29, 2012

Civil War guide book signing in Monroe, Michigan on Saturday

David Ingall and Karin Risko, coauthors of the travel guide Glory, Valor & Sacrifice: Michigan Sites Significant to the Civil War, will be signing copies of their new release at the Book Nook in Monroe, Michigan on Saturday, March 31.

The book signing will take place from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. Following the book signing, the co-authors will take purchases of the guide on a mini tour of nearby sites significant to the Civil War.

The Book Nook is located at 42 S. Monroe Street. For further details call, (734)241-2665
.

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March 28, 2012

Hometown History Tours presents Civil War guidebook to Senator Stabenow

Senator Debbie Stabenow speaking at Grosse Ile women's history month celebration

United States Senator Debbie Stabenow of Michigan was the featured speaker at last Sunday’s Women History Celebration hosted by the Grosse Ile Women’s History Committee and the Downriver Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The afternoon event was held at Grosse Ile’s historic St. James Church.

Senator Stabenow, Michigan’s first female United States senator, spoke on the evolving role of women in American politics, the historic struggles for equality, and the intent to undermine many of these landmark achievements today.

Grosse Ile’s First Lady Ann Loftus told me Senator Stabenow is the first “sitting” senator to speak at a township event.

Karin Risko gets ready to present Senator Stabenow with copy of Michigan Sites Significant to the Civil War

Since the governor and senators from Michigan played pivotal roles during the Civil War, David Ingall and I thought we should give our “Civil War sesquicentennial governor and senators“ a copy of our new state travel guide: Glory, Valor & Sacrifice: Michigan Sites Significant to the Civil War.

Grosse Ile Trustee Pamela Frucci (l) and Senator Debbie Stabenow review guidebook Michigan Sites Significant to the Civil War presented by co-author Karin Risko

I thought this event would be the perfect opportunity to personally present Senator Stabenow with our historic travel guide. Dave and I are working on finding the perfect opportunities to personally present copies to both Governor Rick Snyder and Senator Carl Levin.

Thank you to Grosse Ile Women’s History Committee member Irene Will for providing these photos.

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March 28, 2012

Detroit Riverkeeper Dinner: Protecting our region’s greatest asset

To most locals, the beautiful Detroit River, our region’s lifeblood, is taken for granted. I, personally, think it’s  one of our most under appreciated assets, especially since it has played a huge role in the history and development of our entire region. It’s also a great recreational gem for sightseeing, watersports and fishing.

The Friends of the Detroit River, a dedicated group of activists, has been monitoring the health of this magnificent waterway and  implementing campaigns to clean and restore it for quite some time now.

The Detroit Riverkeeper is one of the many valuable activities spearheaded by the Friends of the Detroit River to protect this valuable asset. As with all projects, funds are needed so the important work can continue.

Be part of the community effort to help keep the Detroit Riverkeeper boat out on the water. How? Attend the annual fundraising dinner this Saturday, March 31, 2012 from 6 PM to 10 PM at the Wyandotte Boat Club, 1 Pine Street.   (734) 675-0141

Cost is $30 for singles, $50 per couple, & $15 for children under 12.

Enjoy a catered dinner, raffles, silent auction and presentations on the organization’s numerous Great Lakes Restoration Initiatives underway.

Click link below to access the official Detroit Riverkeeper Dinner flyer:  DetroitRiverKeeperDinner2012

Click here for more information on the Detroit Riverkeeper program

Click here for more information on the Friends of the Detroit River

 

 

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March 27, 2012

GVS: Retail order form

Our new travel guide -  Glory, Valor and Sacrifice: Michigan Sites Significant to the Civil War has arrived just in time for the spring and summer travel season. If you’re a retailer who’d like to carry our book, click on the following link to access wholesale information. Also, the authors are eager to help you sell the book. They’re available for book signings and a special presentation.

Glory, Valor & Sacrifice: Michigan Sites Significant to the Civil War Book Seller Order Form

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March 10, 2012

March Civil War speakers at Monroe County Historical Museum

On Sunday, March 11, 2012 the Monroe County Historical Museum will launch the  special ongoing program One Book, One Community of Monroe County. Featured speakers at the inaugural event are Karin Risko and David Ingall, co-authors of Glory, Valor & Sacrifice:  Michigan Sites Significant to the Civil War, a comprehensive Michigan history travel guide featuring over 200 sites related to the Civil War such as historic homes, monuments, markers, museum exhibits, graves and forts.  The guide also identifies sites of interest relating to abolition and the Underground Railroad.

Monroe’s own Steve Alexander, portraying General George Armstrong Custer, will discuss the romantic relationship that developed during the Civil War between him and local lass Elizabeth ” Libby” Bacon who became his wife.

The General will lead a narrated tour of the museum following his presentation. Local Monroe band Fiddlesix, comprised of the Mohn family, will bring the 19th century to life with their performance of period music.

Light refreshments will be served. The museum is located at 126 S. Monroe St. in downtown Monroe, Michigan.

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January 25, 2012

Michigan celebrates 175 years of statehood and you might win the present

Governor Rick Snyder declared Thursday, January 26 as Michigan Statehood Day, in honor of our state’s 175th birthday. Read Governor Snyder’s full proclamation here.

Michigan Mittens has organized a birthday celebration contest that features a prize package of goods provided by 12 Michigan-based businesses including Hometown History Tours. We’ve donated two tickets for any 2012 walking tour and two tickets for the Discover Downriver bus tour. (Complete tour descriptions and schedule will be posted soon.

Click her for full contest details and to enter. Drawing to be held at noon on Jan 26.

President Andrew Jackson signed the bill that admitted Michigan as the 26th state on January 26, 1837. In the statehood compromise, Ohio was allowed to keep Toledo in exchange for the western two-thirds of the Upper Peninsula.

Activities are celebrating Michigan’s 175th birthday will be held around the state. Click here for state functions. 

 

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January 17, 2012

Poll: Online ticket surcharges, how do you feel about them?

Hometown History Tours will be announcing their exciting 2012 tour line up soon. Meanwhile, I’d like your opinion on online ticket surcharges. Would you prefer ticket surcharges (fees applied for using professional ticket processing services) be already included in the ticket price or is adding the fee to your purchase okay?

Including the fees into the ticket price, makes the tour price seem more expensive and may turn people off. Also, people who pay by cash or check are then paying fees for services they aren’t using. However, adding another cost on top of the ticket price can irk people as well. Please help! What is your VALUED opinion?

Thank you for your input!

Posted by on January 17, 2012 in Uncategorized.

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