through storybooks, crafts and gallery exploration
The Michigan Historical Center is set to launch another year of Story Circle, a program that uses traditional and contemporary storybooks to engage children (ages 2-5) and their families in historic objects and the galleries of the Michigan Historical Museum. Story Circle is offered the first Saturday of every month, starting Aug. 2.
"Story Circle uses a traditional or contemporary storybook, often with a Michigan theme, to interest younger visitors and their families in history and the museum," said Christiana Hanson, community programs coordinator at the Michigan Historical Center. "Each session includes reading a story to the children, creating a hands-on craft, and then taking a guided tour of a museum gallery looking for things connected to the story."
Each session starts in the Michigan Historical Center's Time Lab on the first floor, and is offered twice - first from 11 a.m. to noon, and again from 2 to 3 p.m.
Story Circle dates and featured storybooks for 2014-2015 are:
Aug. 2: Homeplace by Anne Shelby
Discover different jobs through time.
Sept. 6: The Day the Great Lakes Drained Away by Charles Ferguson Baker
Investigate the environment and Michigan's natural resources.
Oct. 4: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? by Eric Carle
Join a color hunt through the museum galleries.
Nov. 1: Blue Hat, Green Hat by Sandra Boynton
Learn about different hat styles.
Dec. 6: Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey
Investigate blueberries and jam making.
Jan. 3: Click Clack Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
Discover life on the farm.
Feb. 7: Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler
Make music in the museum.
March 7: Hannah's Collections by Marthe Jocelyn
Learn about collecting and the museum's collections.
April 4: Cool Cars by Tony Mitton and Ant Parker
Investigate transportation and Michigan-made automobiles.
May 2: Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business by Esphyr Slobodkina - Find hats at the museum.
June 6: Barnyard Dance by Sandra Boynton
Learn about farms and farm animals.
Aug. 1: Jamberry by Bruce Degen
Explore berries and making them into jam.
There will be no Story Circle in July 2015 due to the Fourth of July holiday. For more information on Story Circle or other fun family programs at the Michigan Historical Center, go to www.michigan.gov/museum or follow the Michigan Historical Center on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MichiganHistoricalMuseum.
Story Circle is free with museum admission. Groups with six or more children should call the museum at 517-241-6852 for chaperone requirements and to make reservations for an alternate day and time. The museum also offers Story Circle programs for preschool groups; these cost $5 per participant and can be arranged for weekdays.
General admission fees for the Michigan Historical Museum are: free for children through age 5; $2 for youth ages 6-17; $6 for adults ages 18-64; and $4 for seniors age 65 and older. Annual passes are available and there is no admission charge on Sundays.
The museum and visitor parking are on the north side of Kalamazoo Street, two blocks east of M. L. King Jr. Boulevard. Weekend parking is free.
The Michigan Historical Center is part of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Its museum and archival programs help people discover, enjoy and find inspiration in their heritage. It includes the Michigan Historical Museum, 10 regional museums, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve, and the Archives of Michigan. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/michiganhistory.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
Contact: Christiana Hanson, 517-241-6852
