January 29, 2008

History In Motion Bus Tour To Explore Grand
Rapids History Museums And Historic Neighborhoods

TRAVERSE CITY, MI – Grand Traverse Heritage Center will embark on a series of History in Motion chartered bus tours beginning Saturday, March 8. The first tour will explore the history museums and historic neighborhoods of Grand Rapids.

The trip to Grand Rapids is intended to be for individuals and families, according to Patti DeAgostino, Executive Director of the Heritage Center. There will be three more tours to Kalamazoo, Manistee, and Dearborn planned for the remainder of the year.

“Although our mission is to preserve and promote the history of the Grand Traverse region, it is important to explore the wonderful history museums and historic sites that exist in Northern Michigan and throughout Michigan.” DeAgostino said. “The trips will be informative, affordable, and fun.”

The Grand Rapids tour will cost $89 per person and will include round-trip bus transportation, lunch, museum admission fees, and an escort.

The bus will depart the Grand Traverse Heritage Center at 8 a.m. on March 8 with arrival in Grand Rapids at approximately 10:30 a.m. The tour is expected back in Traverse City at approximately 7:30 p.m.

The tour will include stops at the Gerald R. Ford Museum, one of America’s most entertaining presidential museums. Participants may attend a White House State Dinner, visit the graveside of the late President, and step inside the Oval Office. There will be an opportunity to view the Smithsonian changing exhibits.

Lunch will follow at the historic Cherie Inn. The Inn is a Grand Rapids original, built in 1929. It has a casual European Café setting and specializes in breakfast and lunch.

In the afternoon, there will be narrated tour of downtown Grand Rapids and historic Heritage Hill neighborhood, The tour will be narrated by Joyce Makinen, volunteer services coordinator at the VanAndel Museum.

A stop at the VanAndel Museum Center will conclude the day. This museum offers world-class exhibitions on history, nature, cultural heritage, Native Americans, 19th century Grand Rapids cityscape, and more. Participants may ride a 1928 carousel overlooking the river. A dinner-stop in Big Rapids is optional.

Reservations for History in Motion are due March 1 by contacting the Heritage Center at 995-0313 or for more details e-mail gthc@charterinternet.com. In case of inclement weather, the trip will be rescheduled.

Grand Traverse Heritage Center presents History in Motion in collaboration with Coastal Charter & Tours, a division of Passageways Travel.

Located at 322 Sixth Street in Traverse City, Grand Traverse Heritage Center includes the Museum of History, Maritime Heritage Alliance, Grand Traverse Pioneer & Historical Society, Grand Traverse Area Rock & Mineral Club, Women’s History Project of Northwest Michigan, and the Railroad Historical Society of Northwest Michigan.