The city of Manistee, Michigan, has received a $50,000 America250MI History Grant — the program’s highest Tier 3 award — to support the Downtown Riverwalk cultural project. “Journeys: Our Story of Migration, Industry and Community” will include four interactive displays along a half-mile stretch of the riverwalk that focus on the impact of tribal migration, fisheries, vessels and lumber to the area, reflected by sculptures and sensory activities to help share the story of the region.
“Tourism in Manistee is rooted in the ‘Power of Place,’ and nothing defines our place more than the river and its importance. Following the incredible reception of Origins, Journeys allows us to expand our cultural, historical and storytelling footprint,” says Sammie Lukaskiewicz, executive director of the Manistee County Tourism Authority. “This grant makes this project possible and allows us to dig deeper into the stories that make Manistee unique. By modernizing how we tell our history, we aren’t just looking back at the last 250 years; we are building a legacy for the next 250.”
The new installations build on the success of Origins, and are forged from Corten steel donated by Jackson, Michigan-based Alro Steel, and then welded by West Shore Community College students. The project includes educational signage about the region and Riverwalk, as well as photo op installations, along four areas of the Riverwalk, and is a collaboration between Manistee County Tourism Authority, City of Manistee, Alro Steel, West Shore Community College, Manistee County Historical Society, and Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, bringing together diverse perspectives to elevate the Riverwalk as a destination for both residents and visitors.
To learn more, visit visitmanisteecounty.com.
PHOTO: MANISTEE TOURISM FACEBOOK
