Guardians of Michigan: Walking Tour and Author Presentation

Course Number: SWM20230518b

Provider Name: AIA Southwest Michigan

Provide Number: 10100106

Credit: 1 LU CEU

General Project Description and Design Focus:

The Kalamazoo Historic Preservation Commission, Southwest Michigan Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and Kalamazoo Public Library have partnered to Celebrate National Historic Preservation Month with a pair of presentations you won’t want to miss.

At 4 pm on May 18th, Lynn Houghton, Regional History Curator at the WMU Archives and Regional History Collections, will lead a short walking tour from the Central Library that features some of the Kalamazoo architectural sculpture highlighted in historian and author Jeff Morrison’s new book, Guardians of Michigan: Architectural Sculpture of the Pleasant Peninsulas.

Then, at 5 pm in the Library’s Van Deusen Room, Mr. Morrison will speak about these and other examples from his book, which features 1200 pictures of building sculpture across Michigan. Building types include places of worship, Albert Kahn-designed newspaper buildings, skyscraper bank and academic buildings, county courthouses, and others. The presentation will be followed by a book signing.

https://www.press.umich.edu/12218255/guardians_of_michigan

Presentation Learning Objectives:

• "The mission of the Guardians of Michigan project is raising awareness of the beautiful historic architecture and amazing bounty of architectural sculpture found within the confines of Michigan's pleasant peninsulas."
• The project is "the result of five years of touring the Great Lakes State, exploring its largest cities and its smallest towns..."
• "...Undertaken with the goal of seeking out every example of architectural sculpture in the state and making as many as possible available for up-close examination and appreciation."
• "It is hoped that by raising awareness of these architectural treasures, we also help build support for historic preservation and adaptive reuse."

Lynn Houghton is Regional History Curator at the WMU Archives and Regional History Collections, and leads an annual series of architectural and historic walks around Kalamazoo County. She also is the co-author with Pamela Hall O'Connor of Kalamazoo Lost and Found. Houghton holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Western Michigan University and Wayne State University.

Jeff Morrison is a historian and photographer whose first book, Guardians of Detroit: Architectural Sculpture in the Motor City, was named a Michigan Notable Book by the Library of Michigan, received a 2020 Midwest Book Award from the Midwest Independent Publishers Association, and a 2019 State History Award from the Historical Society of Michigan.

Parking Requirements:

Public parking is available in the vicinity of the Kalamazoo Public Library - Central Library.

Schedule Notes:

Convene at the library's main entrance at or before 4:00 for the walking tour (entrance is located on north-west corner of building at Rose & South Street intersection).

Light refreshments provided before Author Presentation.

Author Presentation is located on Second Floor of the library in the Van Deusen Room, and will begin at 5pm.

Book signing following the presentation with books available for purchase.

Host or Publisher AIA Southwest Michigan