Michigan Alliance for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage

The Michigan Alliance for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage (MACCH) seeks cultural professionals from across the state of Michigan to join us as we create the future of our organization. It is an exciting time at MACCH as we look to broaden our membership and reshape our strategies to support cultural institutions in our state!

The goals of the Michigan Alliance are to:

• Raise awareness among Michigan citizens of the value of and necessity to preserve and protect our cultural resources.
• Advocate the protection and preservation of cultural resources in professional workshops and public forums.
• Support actions by individuals, organizations and government to ensure the vitality and protection of our cultural heritage.
• Promote, sponsor and facilitate education and training in conservation of cultural resources and historic artifacts.

We seek a diverse group of professionals from cultural institutions around the state. Board members meet roughly six times a year, by phone and/or at one of our member institutions (locations rotate). Membership dues per year are $25, which support the group’s activities and any awards/grants that we may give. More information can be found on our website, www.macch.org.

To apply, please send your resume/CV to board@macch.org with a short statement detailing your interest, relevant professional background, and potential contribution to the Board.

Any questions, please contact board@macch.org or the current acting President, Katie Greer: greer@oakland.edu

A recent blog post from one of our member-represented institutions, The Henry Ford, illustrates some of the trials and triumphs that come with preservation and conservation efforts! Great job on a beautiful restoration: Conserving the Pier Table

Mackinac State Historic Parks announces an Art Exhibition at The Richard and Jane Manoogian Mackinac Art Museum on Mackinac Island, Michigan. Art will be chosen by juror Henry Matthews, director of galleries and collections at Grand Valley State University. The subject of the artwork must conform to the theme, “Waters of Mackinac.” All media of artwork will be accepted from living artists, including photography, paint, sculpture and others. Artists may submit up to three pieces.

Entries for artwork must be postmarked March 18 2016. Finalists selected will have their work displayed at the museum from May 2, 2016 until early July, 2016. For more details and entry forms, please visit the Mackinac Parks website.

 

We are now accepting applications for the 2015 Michigan Heritage Guardian Award, due February 13.  These awards seek to “recognize outstanding accomplishments of individuals or organizations in the preservation of cultural heritage in the state of Michigan.”

For further information, please see our Guardian Award page.

Former MACCH member Mark Harvey was featured in a recent article by Michigan Radio, detailing how the state of Michigan came to own the original architectural plans for the World Trade Center buildings!

Mackinac State Historic Parks will open a new building and exhibit this summer at Old Mackinac Point Lighthouse in Mackinaw City, Michigan. The building will be a reproduction of the original 1890 fog signal building which served as a warehouse after a second fog signal was constructed in 1907. The warehouse will house the new Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Museum. The museum will house a number of shipwreck objects from vessels such as the Eber Ward, Cedarville, William H. Barnum and Northwest. The displays will include a map of the straits showing the location of wreck sites, models of three wrecks showing what they looked like while in service and three dioramas showing their current condition on the lake bottom. Topics such as salvage, diving and the Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve will be discussed. The exhibit was made possible through a generous donation of artifacts from Chuck and Jeri Feltner and other donors. The objects were conserved this winter by Dr. Brad Rodgers and Theresa Hicks of the Inland Seas Institute.