Our Michigan Family History

Join Us! Sat Jun 27 at Michigan History Center | Lansing Downtown | Explore Michigan history through family mementos. Bring your heirloom and story to this event commemorating our nation's 250th anniversary.

Share and explore Michigan history through family mementos. Bring your heirloom and story to this event commemorating our nation's 250th anniversary.

Registration for this FREE event is recommended. | REGISTER HERE

Do you have a family heirloom or memento that tells a unique Michigan story? Share it with us!

Our Michigan Family History
Saturday, June 27 10am-4pm
Michigan History Center
702 W. Kalamazoo St. Lansing, MI 48915

Your family story is Michigan history.

In commemoration of America 250, WKAR invites you to share and explore Michigan history through stories of families who have made this great state their home.

Your piece of history might be a vintage piece of clothing, a well-worn photo, or a simple keepsake. Cherished items like these carry memories that families have passed down through generations — telling the stories that make up the rich history of Michigan.

At Michigan History Center on Sat Jun 27

Explore the Michigan History Museum. 10am-4pm Admission is free for the day.
Take a journey through Michigan's rich past, from the time of the state's earliest peoples to the late 20th century. The museum's five floors provide a walk through time, beginning with Michigan's first people's, the Anishinaabe, and ending in the mid-20th century.

Enjoy family-friendly activities: play with historic toys and games, explore the galleries with scavenger hunts, and sign you name in pen and ink.

Bring your item and share your story* 12-2pm
Record a short video conversation about your item with the WKAR Originals team or MI Michigan Story podcast. Your story could be selected to be featured in upcoming social media or television content from WKAR. Limited opportunities for recording will be available.

Screening: Before America 10am-2pm | Museum Auditorium
View the WKAR original special Before America, presenting a reframing of Revolutionary-era history through Native perspectives.

In Conversation 2pm | Museum Auditorium
Historians and museum curators discuss featured Our Michigan Family History items and Michigan history in the context of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Registration for this FREE event is recommended. | REGISTER HERE

This community event is presented by
WKAR Public Media in partnership with
Michigan History Center

A project of WKAR America 250

* NOTICE: To ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all participants, crew members, and studio guests, we ask that you carefully consider the artifact or heirloom you plan to bring to the Michigan History Center. While we celebrate the full diversity of Michigan's history, certain items are strictly prohibited from the event. These include firearms, ammunition, and other weapons of any kind (including knives, blades, and replica or decommissioned weapons); explosives or flammable materials; illegal drugs or controlled substances; items containing hazardous, toxic, or biohazardous materials; and any artifact that depicts or promotes hate, discrimination, or violence against any individual or group. If your heirloom falls into one of these categories but holds genuine historical significance, please contact us in advance — in some cases, we may be able to accommodate your story through photographs, documents, or other representations of the item. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us ensure this is a safe and respectful space for everyone in our community.

The Michigan History Center is not responsible for the loss or damage of items brought to the museum by members of the public. Items must remain with the owner at all times and cannot be left at the museum. If you would like to consider donating your item(s) to the Michigan History Museum, on-site staff will be happy to supply you with a donation form. The museum does not accept unsolicited donations. Any items left behind after the event will be disposed of.