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November 2010

The Public Museum accomplishes its goals by collecting and preserving authentic objects of significance to the community, providing innovative services and outstanding programming that support and enrich the visitor experience, and offering opportunities for public discourse and personal engagement.

The Plymouth Historical Museum features a late 19th-century Victorian recreation of Main Street, tracing the growth of the small town from the railroad depot to the general store. The largest Lincoln collection in the state of Michigan is housed in a separate room off of Main Street. And a Timeline of Plymouth History is the newest permanent exhibit, featuring displays on the Daisy Air Rifle, the Alter Motor Car, World War II, communication history, and much more.

The Pittsfield Township Historical Society is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Pittsfield Township and the traditions of peoples who have lived here and/or traversed the historical roads -- the old Sauk Trail and Maumee-Saginaw Trail -- which cross in Pittsfield Township. Once the home of mastodons and buffalo, Pittsfield Township has been a crossroads of mid-America, from ancient times to modern day, a heritage that reflects and encapsulates most of the major transitions of the last 10,000 years. It is this rich heritage that the historical society works to document, preserve where possible, and bring alive again for the edification and appreciation of current and future generations.

In 1858 John W. Paine, a native of New York State, came to St. Johns from Rochester Colony where he had been a merchant in partnership with Charles Kipp since 1852. Kipp moved to St. Johns in 1856 and opened a hardware store. Paine followed in 1858, opening a general store the same year. On Oct. 6, 1858, Paine bought Lots 3 and 4 of Block 13 facing Maple Street. On this site in 1860 Paine built his imposing brick home. The same year he also built the first brick store in St. Johns.

The Old Mill, located along the banks of the River Raisin in Dundee, is an historic landmark in the Village, not just because it is a large structure, but because it was instrumental in the growth and economic development of the community. Over the years, it has served as a grist mill, hydro-electric power plant, Ford factory, and fabricating factory. Now it is has been restored by community volunteers to create a historical museum.

Pine Grove consists of 4 1/2 acres of land, the Wisner mansion and several out-buildings, including a summer kitchen, outhouse, smokehouse and root cellar. In addition to the outbuildings, there is the Drayton Plains One-Room Schoolhouse and the Carriage House, which is home to the Research Library, office and the Pioneer Museum.

The museum features the history of the resorts of the Paw Paw Lakes, fruit farming, businesses, industries, and people of the area.

The museum also maintains items related to the Hackley & Hume Historic Site. It includes architectural fragments, pieces originally owned by the Hackley and Hume families, and objects that help demonstrate how the families lived and worked in Muskegon County.

Museum exhibits show Ojibwa Indian culture and traditions, the French contact period, and the site's rich archaeology. Outdoor exhibits and a long house explain Huron life here.

The museum exhibits trace the roots of Motown’s remarkable story and chronicle its impact on 20th century popular culture and musical styles. The story begins with Berry Gordy, Jr. and a small house in Detroit that he christened, Hitsville USA (now home to Motown Historical Museum). The story continues as Motown evolves into a major entertainment enterprise that was among the most diverse and influential in the world.

The exhibitions include a fascinating collection of historical photographs, artwork, music, costumes and other memorabilia from this booming musical era. Each item tells a story – from the $800 loan given to Berry Gordy, Jr. by the Gordy family savings club (the Ber-Berry Co-op) to produce his first record – to the explosive popularity of Motown’s artists throughout the world.

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