New Name, New Look.

Renewed Effort in Support of Michigan History

What’s in a name? When it comes to the mission of preserving Michigan’s rich history, a great deal.

The organization once known as the Michigan Historical Center Foundation today announced it has changed its name to the Michigan History Foundation. The change marks a renewed effort by the Foundation to raise the private funds needed to support Michigan’s statewide museum system, archival, archaeological, historic preservation, publication and heritage educational programs.

The Michigan History Foundation was established in 1989 by a group of visionary Michigan business, industry, civic and political leaders committed to ensuring that Michigan’s rich history and culture are maintained to collect, preserve, and interpret Michigan’s past for the education and enjoyment of present and future generations. The Foundation has successfully raised nearly $7 million to support historic preservation and programming.

“In partnering with and on behalf of taxpayers, the Michigan History Foundation is the financial trustee of a daily effort to discover, document and provide access to the personal histories of individuals, organizations and communities in our state,” said Patricia Clark, Director of the Michigan History Foundation. “Our new name marks a renewed commitment to our mission and the work done by the Foundation on behalf of Michigan history.”

In January, the Foundation celebrated a $375,000 gift from David Morris for the development of the David and Betty Morris Learning Center located in the Archives of Michigan. Once complete, the learning center will allow Michigan high school students to access Michigan’s historical documents and recreate the situations and decisions made by our state’s former leaders.

“Our new name and renewed efforts are an acknowledgement of the fact that our Foundation is the prominent public/private statewide organization dedicated to preserving our state’s history,“ said Clark. “We have a fundamental responsibility to ensure that Michigan history is preserved, interpreted, and shared. At a time of tight budgets and government reorganization, this is more important now than ever.”

The new name and visual branding for the Michigan History Foundation is effective immediately. Please visit us online www.michigan.gov/mhfoundation or www.historicmichigan.org

Sincerely,

Patricia L. Clark, Executive Director