Photo of Lansing skyline shot in 1949
Lansing is at risk of losing its past and the Historical Society of Greater Lansing is launching an effort to establish a Lansing History Museum that would give residents and visitors a peak into that past.
The Historical Society is hosting a silent auction of more than 125 items and packages 4-7 p.m., Saturday October 8 at Comerica Bank in downtown Lansing to raise money to create a plan for a new museum. Comerica Bank is located at 101 N. Washington Square, downtown Lansing. The photo at left of Lansing’s skyline taken in 1949 is one of many auction items to be featured at the first ever silent auction.
Tickets for the silent auction and reception are $15 each or $25 a couple and are available by calling 517-282-0671 or by e-mail at info@lansingehistory.org. Tickets are also available at the door. They include hors d’oeuvres and a tour of the historic Comerica Bank.
Valerie Marvin, president of the Historical Society, said it is incredulous that Lansing, which was and is one of a handful of key cities in Michigan history, lacks its own museum.
“Detroit, Grand Rapids, Holland, Houghton and Frankenmuth all boast wonderful museums. Numerous communities surrounding Lansing can claim museums, yet Lansing has no museum devoted to the history of our city. That must change,” she said.
The auction includes collectibles, books and one-of-a kind trips and adventures. Included are a stay at a South Carolina condo, a luau package from Rum Runners, a watch from Linn and Owen jewelry, a professional bathroom makeover, flags flown over the State Capitol and scores of special dinners, memberships and gift packages.
Marvin said that it is understandable that a museum for the city has been overlooked, since the State Historical Museum and the Oldsmobile Museum are within Lansing.
“Those are great museums, but they only tell a tiny portion of the history of Lansing. What’s lacking is an interpretive history of the city’s great and unusual government and business leaders (one procured elephants for Barnum and Bailey), and deeper looks at the mercantile, religious, ethnic, education and transportation histories of our city.”
The Historical Society President said that the organization has reinvigorated itself in the past few years and is growing. A recent cemetery tour at Lansing’s St. Joseph Cemetery drew nearly 100 people, one-third more than attended last year.
She said that the Historical Society also understands that creating a museum is a long-term goal.
“It may take a decade to create a museum, but it is important to begin the planning for one right now.
Hardly a month goes by that the Society isn’t offered a historical artifact. We just haven’t been able to accept them,” she said.
Recently, the Historical Society received an inquiry about the donation of a decorative Santa’s sleigh that graced the window of Knapps at Christmas. “Unfortunately it’s on hold until we have a secure place to store it.
“The amazing rebound of downtown Lansing, Old Town and REO Town has shown us that there is a tremendous interest in promoting, showcasing and preserving the history of Lansing. We believe that with the recent resurgence in saving the city’s historical structures such as the Knapps building, the Accident Fund headquarters, and the Armory indicates that this is a perfect time to begin planning for a museum. Our goal is to have that museum by 2020.”
She said the Comerica Bank building on the corner of Washington and Michigan was selected as the auction’s location because of its historical and architectural significance. The bank, considered an Art Deco icon, was completed in 1933 and designed by local architects Lee and Kenneth Black. The building’s exterior is set off by an elaborate archway soaring above the main entrance and the interior is decorated with brilliant mosaics.
Guests will receive an interpretive tour of the bank, including a look at the bank’s original vault which is no longer used to hold cash, and a trip to the building’s top office suite, Marvin said.
She said that a Lansing History Museum would not only provide an additional tourism destination, but also would be a learning laboratory for area students.
Auction highlights include:
A man’s watch from Linn and Owen Jewelers
A week long getaway to Kiawah Island, South Carolina
A web hosting and marketing package
A professional bathroom makeover
Getaways at the English Inn
A gift certificate to Elderly Instrument
Also at auction are dinners, theatre tickets, memberships, one-of-a-kind historical items, a Coach Izzo-signed MSU basketball, artwork, jewelry, and collectible books.
To learn more about the Historical Society of Greater Lansing and access a full list of items available at the October 8 silent auction, visit www.lansinghistory.org or http://lansinghistory.blogspot.com. The list of items will be made available on September 24.
