History Center of Traverse City

 

Festival of Trains and the Traverse City Museum with historical photographs online

Newsletter....now online here! Click here or on link aboveNewsletter.html

Check back frequently for more events at the History Center


New displays in the museum and 13,000 pictures and documents, on-line,

all for sale at a modest cost!

We had a record turnout of over 9500 at the 2011 Festival of Trains said Maddie Buteyn, Events and Exhibits Coordinator. Both adults and children were fascinated by the huge train layouts.  Many thanks to the the Northern Michigan Railroad Club for their many hours of work to set up and run this wonderful display!


We look forward to seeing you all at the 2012 show!

Click here to go directly to the on-line photo and document archive (bypases the information/help page) http://grandtraverse.pastperfect-online.com/36237cgi/mweb.exe?request=ks

New fees for jpg files from the archives:

Members and non-profits:  $5

Non-members and businesses:  $10

(additional fees may apply for disks, prints or commercial use)

                      Ways you can help the History Center


  1. 1.Become a member

  2. 2.Volunteer to help in the archives or for center events

  3. 3.Donate historical photographs/documents or artifacts

  4. 4.Participate in history projects in the community

  5. 5.Provide financial or professional help


Give us a call or stop by, we have many interesting ways you can help!

Like us on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/pages/History-Center-of-Traverse-City/194515843892268
History Center’s Magical History Tour Details click here for pictures and details Book your tour by calling (231) 995-0313  extension 102 Beginning June 1, 2013:   Thursday 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm Friday 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm Saturday 10:00 am Sunday 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm Monday 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm Adults:    $14.95pp Seniors & Children under 12:   $9.95pp Reservations are a must!Magical_History_Tour.html

You’ve Seen the Traverse City Film Festival,

Now see Traverse City the Movie!

You missed the movie at the State, but the DVD is still available at the History Center!


Traverse City, Mich.-  After over two years of work, research, and almost $12,000 the History Center of Traverse City is about to release the restored, professionally produced 1940 film “We’re In The Movies.”  The result is a cleaned and sharper, beautiful color film with many of the businesses, hair styles, trains, cars, planes, horses, clothing, and most importantly, smiling people of Traverse City in 1940. Best of all we can all see it again on the big screen at the State Theater on Saturday, September 8 at 4:00 pm as a highlight of the History Center’s Heritage Days.


The film was the “America's Got Talent” of its era.  It's a 45-minute film that featured local scenes and people surrounding a storyline where people competed to be the next big Hollywood star.  The 16 mm film was created as a fundraiser for the Exchange Club and filmed in January 1940.  The film was generously donated by that organization to the History Center.


The unrestored film was screened at various homes and retirement facilities to collect information about people, businesses and to get a feel for what it was like living in a small town in 1940 America. The resources of the History Center Archives also was a valuable source.  Major funding was provided by the National Film Preservation Foundation, the law offices of Zirnhelt, Bowron & Wiggins, and George and Jill Wellman. Students from the NMC Visual Communications designed materials and enhanced the DVD production with captions, titles and a music bed.

We have thousands....yes, many thousands of old Traverse area historic photographs. Most of them are on-line and searchable. View them for free or purchase them for a modest cost. Connect by clicking here. Want information, or photographs you don’t see online, stop in and speak with our research experts in the Archives on the lower level of the History Center.http://grandtraverse.pastperfect-online.com
museum@traversehistory.orgmailto:museum@traversehistory.orghttp://livepage.apple.com/shapeimage_6_link_0
Click here or on link above for more Lego informationLego_Carnival.html


THE HISTORY CENTER

PRESENTS:  LEGOS

Opens Saturday, May 25

Museum: Summer hours (May-October) Monday through Saturday: 10-5 Sunday 12-5 Admission $5, children 4 and under free Phone: 231 995 0313 Fax: 231-946 6750 322 Sixth St, Traverse City, MI 49684 Photo Archives: open Mon and Thurs 1-4 and Tues 10-1 (or by appointment) Phone: 231 995 0313 ext. 104 archives@traversehistory.org mailto:archives@traversehistory.orgshapeimage_8_link_0
Click here if you want to reach the photo archive via an information and help pagePhoto_Archive.html

Could you pass a Traverse City history quiz? You probably know there are some old buildings around our town, as well as some that were torn down. And you may recall a name or two that are commemorated by streets and parks. Now a new History Center virtual tour will help you, your friends and visitors learn a little more about Traverse City right where history was made. Yes, there’s an app for that!  We’re grateful for Pathfinder School students who contributed content of interest to youngsters. 

The History Center of Traverse City has a new app-based tour that allows smartphone and tablet users to open the door on history all around town. Simply go to www.TChistorytour.com to view the tour website and download the free app for phones and tablets.

At each History Center history site is a window decal or sign with the site number, web address and a QR code to access the tour. The app information about the site tells the history of buildings, events, people and what life was like back then. Photos, videos and sounds amplify the stories.