OGL Great Lakes Note: 6 Michigan Communities Selected to Host Smithsonian's Water/Ways

Six Michigan Communities Selected to Host Smithsonian’s Water/Ways

Six Michigan communities have been selected to host the Smithsonian’s traveling Water/Ways exhibit in 2018. Water/Ways is a unique exhibit that explores the essential role of water in our environment, economy, and society.

Michigan’s water resources provide unparalleled recreational, cultural, and economic opportunities to the nearly 10 million people who call our state home. Beyond the deep personal and cultural connection most Michiganders feel to our lakes and streams, they are a key reason people come here to live, work, and play.

The Water/Ways exhibit will begin in June 2018 and close in April 2019, stopping at each site for a six-week period. Host sites will complement the exhibit with programming focused on the local history and information about water in each area.

A statewide Great Lakes-specific exhibit will also travel to each location as part of The Great Lakes Water Heritage Project, offered in partnership by the Office of the Great Lakes, Michigan Humanities Council, Cranbrook Institute of Science, Kalamazoo Nature Center, and Michigan State University. It will feature regional and local Great Lakes history, facts, and simple ways for people to practice everyday water stewardship–a key component of Michigan's Water Strategy. The Erb Family Foundation supports this portion of the program.

The six host sites and dates of the exhibit are:#BigRapids

• Beaver Island–Charlevoix County
  Venue: Beaver Island Historical Society  June 23 – August 5, 2018

• East Jordan–Charlevoix County
  Venue: Raven Hill Discovery Center  August 11 – September 23, 2018

• Big Rapids–Mecosta County
  Venue: Artworks  September 29 – November 11, 2018

• Harrisville–Alcona County
  Venue: Alcona Public Library  November 17 – December 30, 2018

• Niles–Berrien County
  Venue: Niles Public Library  January 5 – February 17, 2019

• Owosso–Shiawassee County
  Venue: Shiawassee Arts Center  February 23 – April 7, 2019

Explore water stewardship and learn how the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes works to protect, enhance, and sustain our state’s water resources at www.michigan.gov/deqogl. Learn more about the Great Lakes Water Heritage Project by contacting Emily Finnell at finnelle@michigan.gov.

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